Sedimentary Rock Diagenesis and Environmental Record
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
Students will acquire 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, paleo-environmental analysis and paleo-climatology.
Expected learning outcomes
The acquired knowledge will find application 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. The numerous laboratory activities and examples of case studies will provide students with fundamental knowledge to apply what learned in professional and scientific activities. Students will be able to develop critical thinking, problem solving attitude and communication skills.
Lesson period: Second semester
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
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
Practicals: 12 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Della Porta Giovanna Paola
Professor(s)
Reception:
Monday 15:30
Office