2019/2020

2021/2022

DM270

GEO/09 (MINERAL GEOLOGICAL RESOURCES AND MINERALOGIC AND PETROGRAPHIC APPLICATIONS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND CULTURAL HERITAGE)

DEPARTMENT OF EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

GEOLOGICAL SCIENCES

PERCORSO COMUNE

3°

1st semester (04/10/2021 - 14/01/2022)

6

48 lesson hours

Italian

ORAL TEST

SETTI MASSIMO (titolare) - 6 ECTS

The course requires that students have already taken some courses and therefore have the basic notions of mineralogy, petrography and geology. In particular the concepts of: mineral ((classification, crystal structure, general formulas) and rock (magmatic, metamorphic and sedimentary), paragenesis, the knowledge of the processes of consolidation of magmas, of mineral crystallization, of the structure of the Earth and the theory of plate tectonics.

Knowledge of the most important genetic processes leading to the formation of the ore bodies.
Ability to analyse and describe a geological and mine profile.
Knowledge of the most important ore mines of the world.
Knowledge of the characteristics and composition of the clay materials and clay minerals.
Knowledge of the most important applications of the clays and of the clay minerals.
Knowledge of the most important analytical methodologies for the analysis and characterization of the geomaterials.

The course is divided in two parts:
• Ore mines
• Clays and clay minerals: properties and applications

Ore mines (3 CFU = 24 hours)
The first part of the course offers the possibility to the students to improve their general knowledge of geology, mineralogy, petrography and geochemistry. The purpose of the course is to provide the basic competence that allow the students to understand the most important genetic processes that lead to the formation of the ore bodies. During the course the most important genetic processes that lead to the formation of ore mines are explained.

Clays and Clay minerals: properties and applications (3 CFU = 24 hours)
The subject of the second part of the course is focused on the different aspects concerning the basic research and the different fields of applications of the clay materials. Importance of the clays and clay minerals, their composition and characteristics. Genetic processes that lead to the formation of the clay minerals. Clay minerals as paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental indicators. Properties and characteristics of the clay minerals. Industrial applications of the clay minerals: pottery, alimentary, zootechnics, chemistry, pharmacology, cosmetics, etc. Clay minerals in the frame of the oil research: their use as indicators of the diagenetic processes and their influence on the porosity of the sediments. The mechanical behaviour induced by the clay minerals in the soils. The use of clay minerals in the environmental applications (in particular, in the landfills). The most important analytical methodologies for the study and the characterization of the clay sediments are also illustrated, together with some practical exercitations.

In the initial part of the course the genetic models will be illustrated that allow to explain the mineralogical-petrographic and geological processes that lead to the formation of the different types of metal ore deposits. The same models will subsequently be resumed in order of classification of the deposits, considering the most important mineral deposits as typical examples. The deposits of "clay minerals" will be treated in the second part of the course as they fall into different genetic contexts from the previous ones. Finally, possible industrial applications will be illustrated in order to understand the importance and value of mineral resources, considering that the geologist could contribute to a sustainable exploitation of the earth's resources and to the development of a modern society.
The lessons will be held frontally with the aid of presentations (slides) on the topics covered. The slides will be provided to students to allow both review and any collegial discussions.

• Didactic materials provided by the teacher.
• Introduction to Ore-Forming Processes. Laurence Robb. (2005). Blackwell Science Ltd.
ISBN 0-632-06378-5
• Handbook of clay science. (2006). Editors: Faïza Bergaya B.K.G. Theng G. Lagaly. Elsevier. ISBN: 9780080441832.

At the end of some parts of the course a debate will be opened during which the essential points of the topics covered will be resumed in order to fill any gaps and clarify doubts.
The active involvement of students will serve to increase their interest, to consolidate the topics covered and for the teacher to promptly check their level of learning.
The exam will be carried out in oral form, the open questions will focus on the program of the course.

The teacher is available for further explanations and informations.