General Description and course goals:
This course introduces students
to microscopy methods for examining sediments and sedimentary rocks
(emphasis on carbonates). Most lab sessions involve use of petrographic
microscopes; scanning electron microscopy and fluorescence microscopy
are also introduced. Digital photography and image analysis are included.
1.5 hours classroom; three hours lab per week
Material and Assignments
| Week | Class | Lab |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carbonate Constituents and classification | identification of components, photomicrographs |
| 2 | Granulometric and morphometric properties -grain orientation and packing Porosity | Data collection Image Analysis Size analysis- laser technique |
| 3 | Marine Diagenesis 1 bioerosion/micritization/rexlization | micritization (thin sections) - shelf sediments |
| 4 | Marine Diagenesis 2. Marine cement, beachrock, peloids, micrite cement, fringe cement | SEM-microboring, cements EDS- backscatter facies mapping |
| 5 | Modern Carbonate Environments | peritidal, beachrock, reef (with cements), pelagic, |
| 6 | Geomicrobiology- Grapestone- | origin of grapestone (thin sections) staining techniques |
| 7 | Other microscopies fluoresence, afm, confocal | SEM grapestone |
| 8 | Microbial deposition- bacteria- stromatolite mats- | fluoresenceÑmodern mats, stromatolites |
| 9 | Meteroic diagenesis- | SEM- Miami Ls- |
| 10 | Dolomitization | staining techniques |
| 11 | Neomorphism, Silicification | silificfication, aggrading neomorphism |
| 12, 13 | Jurassic reefs | Jurassic reefs |
Grading:
Grade is based on weekly assignments and class presentations. No final exam.
Textbook(s):
Readings from a variety of text books and journal articles are assigned on a weekly basis.