ENVIRONMENTAL MINERALOGY

Single discipline educational activity

Course Sheet

Academic Year of enrolment:

2020/2021

Type of Course:

Characterising

Optional/Mandatory:

Compulsory

Degree:

Master's Degree Programme in LAND AND ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT

Disciplinary Sector:

Mineral Geological Resources and Mineralogic and Petrographic Applications for the Environment and Cultural Heritage

Language:

Italian

Credits:

Programme Year:

Professor and Collaborators:

MAMELI Paola

Hours of classroom activity:

Prerequisites:

Basic knowledge in natural sciences particularly mineralogy, petrography and geology.

AF code:

40004729

Assessment Methods

Verification of learning:

Oral examination at the end of the lectures.
In alternative, at about half of the course, a written test consisting of multiple choice and open-ended questions and then an oral exam on the rest of the program.

To take the examination as attending students they must have attended at least the 50% of the classes.
Not attending students must prepare, in addition to the program, a reduced thesis to be agreed with the teacher.
All students must present a relevant scientific article, a copy of which must be sent to the teacher at most one week before the exam.

Teaching period

First semester

Objectives

The course is aimed at the acquisition of the basic knowledge for the investigation and interpretation, from an environmental point of view, of indispensable mineral-chemical data in order to identify the provenance of the chemical elements involved in the geosphere-biosphere interactions starting from their hosting mineral phases. In this way it is intended to provide the basic knowledge for the distinction between natural and anthropogenic contamination, for the safe management of natural resources and for the protection of the environment and public health.

Contents

The Environmental Mineralogy and its applied aspects in the natural resources and environment management.
Reminds of mineralogical and crystals chemistry topics.
Surficial erosion and supergene alteration.
Mineral weathering and secondary minerals formation.
Factors controlling chemical weathering rates.
Geochemical mobility of chemical elements: its meaning in geological and biological contexts.
Minerals deposits (ores) as major source of heavy metals pollutants. Dispersion aureolas and geochemical anomalies.
Minerals with pathogenic effects: structural and compositional aspects.
Natural radioactivity and environmental problems.
Industrial minerals: definitions and overview on their uses.
Archeometry: a methodological approach to the study of archaeological findings.
Analytical methods for characterization and identification of minerals and chemical elements in rocks.

Recommended Bibliography

Vaughan D.J., Wogelius R.A. (2000) – Environmental Mineralogy. Eotvos University press
Vaughan D.J., Wogelius R.A. (2012) – Environmental Mineralogy II. Eotvos University press
Nesse W.D. (2016) - Introduction to Mineralogy. Oxford University Press
De Vivo et al. (2017) - Environmental Geochemistry: site characterization, data analysis and case histories. Elsevier.
De Vivo B.et al. (1998) – Cartografia geochimica della Sardegna. Mem. Descr. Carta Geol. D’It., LV, 97-129 + TAVOLE
Nat. Inst. Adv. Ind.Sc.& Tech. Res. Center for Deep Geol.Env.(2005) – Atlas of Eh- pH diagrams. Naoto TAKENO
Kogel J.E. et al. (2006) - Industrial Minerals & Rocks SME

THE SLIDES AND OTHER MATERIALS USED FOR LECTURES WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE STUDENTS.

Teaching Methods

The course will consist of lectures (face to face or online, using Microsoft Teams, or in blended learning model), and laboratory activities.

Participation of students at different stages of proposed course will be stressed. Discussion and debate will be encouraged as well as the collaboration among students in the different activities.

Contacts/More Information

Department of CHEMISTRY AND PHARMACY, 4 Piandanna Street SASSARI
Tel. 079-228684
e-mail: mamelip@uniss.it

Supervision hours: Every day by prior mail appointment.

Readiness to offer individual assistance in a foreign language to incoming students (English): YES
Availability of supporting material and bibliographic references also in a foreign language (English): YES
Readiness to accept examination of incoming students also in a foreign language (English) : YES

ENVIRONMENTAL MINERALOGY

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ENVIRONMENTAL MINERALOGY