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Υ4204 - GEOCHEMISTRY

INSTRUCTORS

Lectures:

A. Argyraki, Prof.

Ch. Stouraiti, Assoc. Prof.

E. Kelepertzis, Assist. Prof.

Lab. Training:

A. Argyraki, Prof.

Ch. Stouraiti, Assoc. Prof.

H. Vasilatos, Assist. Prof.

E. Kelepertzis, Assist. Prof.

Z. Kypritidou, Laboratory Teaching Staff

A. Papoutsa, Laboratory Teaching Staff

eClass Webpage

COURSE KEY ELEMENTS

LEVEL / SEMESTER:

EQF level 6; NQF of Greece level 6 / 4th

TYPE:

General background (obligatory)

TEACHING ACTIVITIES - HOURS/WEEK  - ECTS:

Lectures-seminars & laboratory work and exercises, optional fieldwork.
3 hours of lecturing,
2 hours of practical exercises per week,
6 ECTS credit

Prerequisites:

Recommended:

  • Υ1203 - Chemistry
  • Υ1205 - Mineralogy-Crystallography
 

Language of instruction and Assessment:

Greek  (V.S.1 English)

Availability to Erasmus+ Students:

YES in English

COURSE CONTENT:

A. Lectures

1.   Geochemichal Processes in the Earth’s interior:

Distribution of elements on Earth and in the solar system. Factors regulating this distribution. Introduction to thermo-dynamics and crystal chemistry. Basics of geochemistry of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Basics of geochemistry of radioactive and stable isotopes. Radiocarbon dating. Laboratory exercises include processing geochemical data from the literature using appropriate software, calculating typical geochemical parameters, and graphically representing data in various types of geochemical diagrams.

2.   Processes in the Earth’s surface environment:

Chemical weathering processes. Basics on chemistry of continental waters and soils. Basics of organic geochemistry. Diagenesis. Basics of marine geochemistry. Basics of geochemistry of hydrothermal fluids. Basics of applied geochemistry in the exploration of deposits or the detection of environmental pollution. Laboratory exercises include chemical experiments, the collection of primary data, processing, and presentation of results.

B. LaboratoryExercises

  • Part A: Exercises in processing geochemical data from the literature using a computer.
  • Part B: Laboratory exercises in the Laboratory of Economic Geology and Geochemistry, conducting experiments on thermodynamics of aqueous solutions, replacement reactions, and redox reactions.

C. Fieldwork

One-day fieldwork exercise in Lavrion: Training in soil, surface water, and rock sampling. Observation of geochemical phenomena of acidic drainage from rocks and minerals in the field.

LEARNING ACTIVITIES - TEACHING METHODS:

PLANNED LEARNING ACTIVITIES:

Activity Student’s effort
Lectures48 hours
Practical Exercises using computers14 hours
Laboratory work and/or exercises in Chemistry Laboratory10 hours
Fieldwork8 hours
Unguided Study40 hours
Preparation for final Assessment30 hours
Total student effort150 hours

ASSESSMENT METHODS AND CRITERIA

The assessment process is conducted in Greek (there is the possibility of examination in English for Erasmus students). The final grade of the course is formed by a series of tests that include:

Ι. Written Exams

  • Two optional progress exams during the semester (participation percentage in the final grade 30% each) and/or a final written exam with short-answer questions (60% of the final grade without participation in progress exams).

IΙ. Laboratory Exercises

  •  Problem-solving during practical exercises, submission of laboratory assignments (reporting of completed tasks with calculations) (25% of the final grade).

ΙΙΙ. Ενεργή συμμετοχή στην υποχρεωτική άσκηση υπαίθρου

  • (soil sampling, short-answer questions) (15% of the final grade).

RECOMMENDED BIBLIOGRAPHY

Suggested Literature:

  • Introduction to Geochemistry- Principles and Applications., Kula C. Misra  Wiley- Blackwell

Related scientific Journals:

 

1 V.S.: Visitor Students (e.g. ERASMUS)

STUDY: