Title: Organic Geochemistry

Term:  Fall 2006

Instructor:  Dr. Ralph Mead  
Marine and Atmospheric Chemistry Division, SLAB 202
RSMAS
University of Miami
Office: 305-421-4786
Email: rmead@rsmas.miami.edu

Credit Hours: 03

Textbook: “An Introduction to Organic Geochemistry” by Killops and Killops 2nd edition. In addition, various articles for reading and group discussion that will be available to photocopy

Assignments

  1. Organic Chemistry and Analytical Chemistry problem set
  2.  Biomarker problem set

Presentation

A topic chosen by the student relating to the organic geochemistry of molecular markers will be presented to the class (20-25 minutes).

Grading: Two exams worth 25% each, two assignments worth 10% each and a presentation worth 30%

Goal of Course:

To provide a multidisciplinary course that ties together the biology, chemistry and geology of carbon in the marine environment.

Course Description:

            This course provides an in-depth look at the natural cycling of carbon in the marine environment and will follow the production, fate and preservation of organic matter. Some of the topics that will be covered are: Basic Organic Chemistry for geochemists, biosynthesis of geochemically important organic compounds, analytical techniques used for Organic Geochemistry, carbon cycle, chemostratigraphy, diagenesis and catagenesis. The course will be a mixture of lectures and readings of current literature with subsequent group discussions. In addition, a presentation and homework assignments will be given.

Outline:

Part I: Introduction

Part II: Organic/ Analytical Chemistry refresher

  1. Review of nomenclature, structures and reactions or organic molecules
  2. Polarity
  3. Introduction to separations as well as basic chromatography
  4. Analysis of organic compounds

Part III: Contemporary organic matter dynamics

  1. Global Carbon Cycle
  2. Proportion of organic matter classes within biological material
  3. Biologically useful classes of organic matter for Organic Geochemistry
  4. Compound specific stable isotope analysis

Part IV:  Organic matter through time

  1. Factors controlling the preservation of sedimentary organic matter
  2. Dissolved organic matter distribution/characterization
  3. Diagenetic transformations sedimentary organic matter undergoes through geologic time
  4. Paleoreconstruction utility of organic compounds

Part V: Fossil Fuels and Xenobiotics

  1. Generation of fossil fuels
  2. Anthropogenic organic molecules in the environment