Marine Geology Exploration and Georesources
A.Y. 2021/2022
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide a critical knowledge on deep marine geological settings and processes, to facilitate Students to understand the relevance of oceanic georesources and environmental concerns, preparing them to act responsibly in the fields of exploitation, management and protection
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding : knowledge of indirect and direct survey methods used in marine geology, specifically in the exploration of marine georesources. Main characteristics of oceanic crust and sediments. Geological evolution of the oceans. Critical reading capacity of scientific papers regarding geodynamic-paleoceanographic reconstructions based on marine geology data.
Applying knowledge and understanding: Ability to apply the acquired skills to the study of the geological evolution of the oceans.
Making judgements: Distinction between data to be acquired and their use for modeling. Evaluation of the geological processes that operate at and below the oceanic seafloor, specifically in the formation of georesources.
Communication skills: Ability to describe and illustrate the knowledge gained during the course.
Learning skills: Ability to use the acquired knowledge to delineate the geological processes and geodynamics of the oceanic system in the present and in the geological past, in particular as far as maribe georesources are concerned. Ability to critically read scientific papers .
Applying knowledge and understanding: Ability to apply the acquired skills to the study of the geological evolution of the oceans.
Making judgements: Distinction between data to be acquired and their use for modeling. Evaluation of the geological processes that operate at and below the oceanic seafloor, specifically in the formation of georesources.
Communication skills: Ability to describe and illustrate the knowledge gained during the course.
Learning skills: Ability to use the acquired knowledge to delineate the geological processes and geodynamics of the oceanic system in the present and in the geological past, in particular as far as maribe georesources are concerned. Ability to critically read scientific papers .
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Insegnamento erogato ad anni alterni, non erogato nell' aa 2021-22
Course syllabus
Lessons (3 cfu - 24 hours frontal lesson)s:
* Geological evolution of oceanic basins. Oceanic sedimentation: major controls, sources and sinks of deep marine sediments. Sediment types, stratigraphic styles and cyclicity; sedimentological, biological and geochemical signatures.
*Exploration of the oceans: direct and indirect methods, historical view and perspectives of IODP and industrial exploration projects.
* Marine Georesources: what, where, how many? Quantification of deep and ultra-deep resources and their extraction. Challenges and perspectives.
* HC source rocks in the deep-sea: Production and burial of organic matter. The fate of organic matter in deep-sea sediments and oil-gas production. Present settings and geological past settings.
* HC reservoirs in the deep sea: geology, exploitation, management, environmental and technical/economic problems and perspectives. Present settings and geological past settings.
* Non-HC geo-resources in the deep-sea: polymetallic nodules and hydrothermal deposits, unconventional energy resources from tides and marine currents
Practicals, Seminars, Visit to a Marine Geology Institute(3 cfu - 36hours practicals):
i) reconstruction of paleogeographic maps using the current data-bases; ii) sedimentological and stratigraphic procedures. Cores, logs, proxies: analysis, representation and interpretation; iii) geophysical methods of exploration: seismic interpretation for source rock and reservoir recognition; iv) building an integrated stratigraphy from different data-sets (sedimentology, micropaleontology, geochemistry, geophysics); v) mapping deep marine georesources in geological basins
* Geological evolution of oceanic basins. Oceanic sedimentation: major controls, sources and sinks of deep marine sediments. Sediment types, stratigraphic styles and cyclicity; sedimentological, biological and geochemical signatures.
*Exploration of the oceans: direct and indirect methods, historical view and perspectives of IODP and industrial exploration projects.
* Marine Georesources: what, where, how many? Quantification of deep and ultra-deep resources and their extraction. Challenges and perspectives.
* HC source rocks in the deep-sea: Production and burial of organic matter. The fate of organic matter in deep-sea sediments and oil-gas production. Present settings and geological past settings.
* HC reservoirs in the deep sea: geology, exploitation, management, environmental and technical/economic problems and perspectives. Present settings and geological past settings.
* Non-HC geo-resources in the deep-sea: polymetallic nodules and hydrothermal deposits, unconventional energy resources from tides and marine currents
Practicals, Seminars, Visit to a Marine Geology Institute(3 cfu - 36hours practicals):
i) reconstruction of paleogeographic maps using the current data-bases; ii) sedimentological and stratigraphic procedures. Cores, logs, proxies: analysis, representation and interpretation; iii) geophysical methods of exploration: seismic interpretation for source rock and reservoir recognition; iv) building an integrated stratigraphy from different data-sets (sedimentology, micropaleontology, geochemistry, geophysics); v) mapping deep marine georesources in geological basins
Prerequisites for admission
Knowledge of general geology at the level of a Bachelor in Geological Sciences
Teaching methods
Lectures, exercises on specific topics, seminars organized specifically for the course.
Visit with the teacher of a marine geology institute (CNR-Bologna or OGS-Trieste)
Visit with the teacher of a marine geology institute (CNR-Bologna or OGS-Trieste)
Teaching Resources
PPTs of all lessons on the ARIEL platform. Papers for journal club discussions
Assessment methods and Criteria
Oral examination.
As optional for individual Students, evaluation of an in-depth study of topics selected by the Student
As optional for individual Students, evaluation of an in-depth study of topics selected by the Student
GEO/01 - PALEONTOLOGY AND PALEOECOLOGY - University credits: 6
Practicals: 36 hours
Lessons: 24 hours
Lessons: 24 hours