University of Silesia
Faculty of Earth Sciences
Course title:
Geochemistry of the Palaeoenvironment Reconstruction
Department of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Petrography
Hours of lectures: 30
ECTS credits: 4
Hours of classes/laboratory: 30
Code: 04-GE- GM-S2-GL2-408
Learning outcomes:
The course is an introduction to reconstruction of palaeoenvironments for II stage students,
based on organic and inorganic geochemical methods. Students will learn basic organic
geochemical methods of biomarker identification and they used as an palaeoenvironmental
proxies. Moreover, using of major and trace elements in reconstruction of redox conditions,
productivity, volcanic activity and detrial input estimation will be presented. Based on that
they will be able to interpret biomarker results obtained from GC-MS method as well as
inorganic geochemical proxies. Students will gain knowledge on organic geochemistry basis,
the origin of organic matter, biomarkers, biomolecules and specific concentrations of trace
elements and REE in sedimentary rocks.
Course description:
Lecture:
1.
Palaeoenvironments classification;
2.
Geochemical data for environment conditio reconstruction;
3.
Thermal maturation as an factor for particular metod selection;
4.
Organic matter in sediments and sedimentary rocks – introduction to the problem;
5.
Organic proxies for palaeoenvironment reconstruction – biomarkers and biomolecules;
6.
Biomarkers originated from marine conditions;
7.
Biomarkers originated from lacustrine conditions;
8.
Biomarkers originated from terrestrial conditions;
9.
Secondary processes of organic matter changes – biodegradation, water washing and
weathering;
10.
Geochemical and mineralogical proxies of detrial input;
11.
Geochemical proxies of productivity in water column;
12.
Geochemical and petrographical proxies of redox conditions;
13.
Palaeowildfires and hydrothermal activity;
14.
Global events in the Earth history – geochemical point of view;
Class/laboratory:
1. Basis in graphic presentation of geochemical data using: Excel, Corel Draw, MS Data.
2. Practical exercises. Calculation of thermal maturity based on n-alkanes
3. Practical exercises. Calculation of thermal maturity based on hopane and sterane
biomarkers
4. Practical exercises. Calculation of thermal maturity based on polycyclic aromatic
compounds
5. Practical exercises. Preparation of thermal maturation maps based on organic
University of Silesia
Faculty of Earth Sciences
geochemical ratios.
6. Practical exercises. Reconstruction of palaeoenvironment based on: n-alkanes and
isoprenoids. Redox conditions and organic matter source.
7. Practical exercises. Reconstruction of palaeoenvironment based on: hopane and
sterane biomarkers. Redox conditions, organic matter source, influence of mineral
matrix.
8. Practical exercises. Reconstruction of palaeoenvironment based on specific biomarkes:
isorenieratan, gammacerane, oleananes, branched GDGTs.
9. Practical exercises. Reconstruction of palaeoenvironment based on inorganic proxies.
10. Practical exercises. Reconstruction of palaeoenvironment based on degree of
pyritization and pyrite framboid diameter study
Examination method:
Lecture:
Written exam. Students will be asked at least ten open questions testing their knowledge
gained during the course.
Class/laboratory:
after each topic students will be asked to solve practical problems in the form of written work.
Students will be evaluated based on their skills in interpretation of geochemical data.