Sedimentary Rock Diagenesis and Environmental Record
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
Students will acquire a detailed knowledge and deep understanding of the diagenetic processes and products in carbonate rocks and sandstone and the use of geochemical proxies for solving issues related to rock diagenesis, geochemical proxies, environmental analysis, climatology and paleogeography.
The numerous laboratory activities and examples of case studies will provide students with the fundamental knowledge to apply what learned in professional and scientific activities. Through written reports about specific issues and case studies, students will develop skills in communication, critical thinking and problem solving.
The numerous laboratory activities and examples of case studies will provide students with the fundamental knowledge to apply what learned in professional and scientific activities. Through written reports about specific issues and case studies, students will develop skills in communication, critical thinking and problem solving.
Expected learning outcomes
The numerous laboratory activities and examples of case studies will provide students with the fundamental knowledge to apply what learned in professional and scientific activities of the Earth Sciences from energy resources, to paleoenvironmental and paleoclimate reconstructions to the application in present-day environmental remediation. Students will be able to apply the acquired knowledge in their work environment and to develop critical thinking, problem solving attitude and communication skills.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The programme includes the following topics. 1. Fundamental concepts of diagenesis, diagenetic environments, processes and products, paragenetic sequences. 2. Diagenesis of carbonate rocks in marine, meteoric and burial environments: processes of cementation, dissolution, neomorphism, recrystallization, dolomitization, and silicification. Diagenesis of sandstone and mudstone: cementation by carbonate and clay minerals, compaction, dissolution, authigenic mineral formation, compaction, pressure solution. 3. The use of stable Oxygen, Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Sulphur isotopes in diagenesis, paleoclimatology and variation of global carbon cycle. The use of Sr isotopes and trace elements for the study of sedimentary rocks. 4. Techniques for diagenetic and geochemical investigations of sedimentary rocks.
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge on sedimentology, stratigraphy, petrography of sedimentary rocks and geochemistry
Teaching methods
Lectures and laboratory activities in the microscopy and geochemistry laboratories of the Department of Earth Sciences and written reports.
Teaching Resources
Lecture notes available in pdf files on Ariel. At the end of each lecture some specific publications (articles from journals and book chapters) will be also suggested as reading list or provided as pdf.
- website https://carbonateworld.com/ A web Atlas for the petrographic analysis of carbonate rocks
- Tucker, M. and Wright, V.P., 1990. Carbonate Sedimentology. Blackwell Science
- Flügel, E., 2004. Microfacies of carbonate rocks. Springer.
- Burley, S.D. and Worden, R.H., 2003. Sandstone diagenesis: recent and ancient. Blackwell Publishing.
- Hoefs, J., 2008. Stable isotope geochemistry. Springer Science & Business Media.
- website https://carbonateworld.com/ A web Atlas for the petrographic analysis of carbonate rocks
- Tucker, M. and Wright, V.P., 1990. Carbonate Sedimentology. Blackwell Science
- Flügel, E., 2004. Microfacies of carbonate rocks. Springer.
- Burley, S.D. and Worden, R.H., 2003. Sandstone diagenesis: recent and ancient. Blackwell Publishing.
- Hoefs, J., 2008. Stable isotope geochemistry. Springer Science & Business Media.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final mark is in 30/30. The assessment consists of two parts. 1) An individual research essay on a selected topic supported by published literature, demonstrating the capacity of elaborating scientific papers and developing critical thinking. The topic could be selected according to the Master Thesis project or personal and scientific interest. 2) A written test with questions relative to the teaching programme.
GEO/02 - STRATIGRAPHY AND SEDIMENTOLOGY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours
Professor:
Della Porta Giovanna Paola
Professor(s)
Reception:
Monday 15:30
Office