Sedimentary Petrology
Code: 101056Credits: 4
| Degree programme | Type | Course |
|---|---|---|
| Geology | OB | 3 |
Contact lecturer
- Name :
- Marta Roige Taribo
- Email :
- marta.roige@uab.cat
Teaching staff
- David Manuel Gómez Gras
- Marta Roige Taribo
Group languages
You can consult this information at the end of the document.
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites. However, it is very important for students to have previously taken the courses “Geology, Earth Chemistry, Mineralogy, Sedimentology and Stratigraphy.
Objectives
The specific objectives of the Sedimentary Petrology course are as follows:
- To recognize the characteristic features of the different types of sedimentary rocks, both in the field and from hand specimens and thin sections.
- To identify the major minerals and the most common components of sedimentary rocks, both macroscopically and under the microscope.
- To integrate the terminology and classification systems of sedimentary rocks.
- To understand the mechanisms and processes responsible for the generation of sediments and sedimentary rocks, based on the physical and chemical parameters involved in their formation.
- To emphasize the importance and usefulness of sedimentary rocks in the various fields of their potential application.
- To provide a comprehensive view of Sedimentary Petrology in relation to related disciplines, with the aim of promoting an integrated understanding of the Earth Sciences.
- To foster student motivation by developing an attitude of intellectual curiosity toward natural phenomena, with particular emphasis on aspects of everyday life that may be related to the topics covered in the course.
- To acquire the skills necessary to make observations, collect data, and present them in a manner that ensures the information is both durable and transferable.
- To learn how to use the petrographic microscope as a fundamental tool for the identification of sedimentary rocks, complementing observations made with a hand lens. Likewise, to become familiar with the use of other instruments commonly employed in field and laboratory work.
Learning outcomes
- CM20 (Organise the tests required to determine the origin of the different rocks that make up a territory.) Organise the tests required to determine the origin of the different rocks that make up a territory.
- KM25 (Interpret the relationship between the microscopic structure of minerals and the physicochemical properties shown by the rocks they form.) Interpret the relationship between the microscopic structure of minerals and the physicochemical properties shown by the rocks they form.
- KM27 (Identify the main current challenges related to the potential application of different geological materials.) Identify the main current challenges related to the potential application of different geological materials.
- SM22 (Use a petrographic microscope to identify geological materials taking into account the optical properties of the minerals that make up different types of rocks.) Use a petrographic microscope to identify geological materials taking into account the optical properties of the minerals that make up different types of rocks.
- SM23 (Evaluate the potential for exploitation of a mineral or igneous, metamorphic or sedimentary rock for industrial use.) Evaluate the potential for exploitation of a mineral or igneous, metamorphic or sedimentary rock for industrial use.
Contents
Theoretical Classes Program
Topic 1. Introduction: What is a sedimentary rock?
- The sedimentary cycle.
- Sedimentary rocks as records of geological processes.
- Composition, texture, and fabric.
Topic 2. Composition and classification of sedimentary rocks
- Genetic classification according to the origin of components.
- Detrital rocks.
- Chemical, biochemical, and organic rocks.
Topic 3. Hypergenesis
- Physical and chemical weathering.
- Soils, regoliths, and climatic control.
Topic 4. Provenance
- Analysis of a source area–sedimentary basin system.
Topic 5. Diagenesis
- Main diagenetic processes.
- Diagenetic stages.
-
Practical Classes Program
Practical Session 1. Introduction to the study of sedimentary rocks
Differentiation of the major groups of sedimentary rocks. Structure of a clastic rock: framework, groundmass (matrix and cement), and pores. Nomenclature of rock components: grain, clast, crystal, allochthonous, autochthonous, and authigenic.
Exercises: Microscopy and hand-specimen observation
- Identification of the main elements of a clastic rock: framework, groundmass, and pores (select 2 hand specimens and 3 thin sections from the collection).
- Estimation of the relative percentages of these elements in the selected specimens and thin sections.
- Identification of the main textures of clastic rocks: grain size (modal class and centile), roundness, sphericity, and sorting.
Distinction between matrix and cement. The concept in different textural groups: rudites, arenites, and lutites. Types of matrix and mineralogical composition. Cement: textural types and mineralogical composition. Distinction between porosity and intergranular volume. Types of porosity. Mechanical and chemical compaction. Effects of compaction on sediment components.
Practical Session 2. Framework components: Types of components I
Framework components: classification criteria. Non-carbonate extrabasinal components (NCE): monomineralic grains (quartz, feldspars, micas, and other minerals) and polymineralic grains (rock fragments). Carbonate extrabasinal components (CE): monomineralic grains (calcite, dolomite, ankerite) and polymineralic grains (rock fragments).
Exercises: Microscopy and hand-specimen observation
- Identification of the extrabasinal framework components of clastic rocks (select 2 hand specimens and 2 thin sections from the collection).
- Estimation of the relative percentages of these components in the selected specimens and thin sections.
- Study of the rock fragments observed in these specimens and thin sections. Draw a sketch and describe them.
- Prepare a list, in order of importance, of the main framework components.
Practical Session 3. Framework components: Types of components II
Non-carbonate intrabasinal components (NCI): evaporitic, glauconitic, phosphatic, and ferruginous grains. Carbonate intrabasinal components (CI): skeletal grains (bioclasts) and non-skeletal grains (ooids, pisoids, oncoids–stromatolites, peloids, and intraclasts).
Exercises: Microscopy and hand-specimen observation
- Identification of the intrabasinal framework components of clastic rocks (select 2 hand specimens and 2 thin sections from the collection).
- Estimation of the relative percentages of these components in the selected specimens and thin sections.
- Study of the rock fragments observed in these specimens and thin sections. Draw a sketch and describe them.
- Prepare a list, in order of importance, of the main intrabasinal framework components.
Learning activities and methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theory | 11 | 0.44 | |
| Tutorials and supervision of the Field Work and the Laboratory Practice Report | 9 | 0.36 | |
| Field practices | 7 | 0.28 | |
| Classroom Tutorials | 6 | 0.24 | |
| Study, preparation of field work and preparation of laboratory practice repor | 47 | 1.88 | |
| Laboratory Practices | 16 | 0.64 |
The course is organized around lectures, laboratory practical sessions, a field trip, and independent learning activities. These activities enable students to integrate field and laboratory observations with the theoretical concepts of sedimentary petrology.
Lectures
Lectures provide the concepts and foundations necessary to understand the origin, composition, classification, and evolution of sedimentary rocks. Topics include weathering processes, sediment production, diagenesis, and provenance analysis, with particular emphasis on the relationship between geological processes and the petrographic characteristics of the resulting materials. Teaching materials and supplementary resources will be made available to students through the Virtual Campus.
Laboratory Practical Sessions
The laboratory practical sessions are designed to develop skills in the recognition, description, classification, and interpretation of sedimentary rocks. Students will work with hand specimens and thin sections through direct observation and petrographic microscopy, focusing on the identification of textures, detrital components, carbonate elements, porosity, and diagenetic processes.
In addition, the laboratory sessions will familiarize students with the standard working methods used in sedimentary petrology and with the acquisition and processing of petrographic data.
Fieldwork
The field trip is focused on the recognition of sedimentary rocks in outcrop and on the application of basic observation, description, and sampling techniques. Students will be required to integrate field observations with the knowledge acquired during lectures and laboratory sessions, identifying lithologies, sedimentary structures, and evidence of diagenetic processes.
The field exercise will include systematic data collection, interpretation of the visited outcrops, and the preparation of an individual report or field notebook.
Independent Study and Tutorials
Independent study includes reviewing theoretical content, preparing practical sessions, writing reports, and completing exercises. Tutorials are intended to guide the learning process, answer questions, and monitor the activities carried out throughout the course.
Student Satisfaction Surveys
With regard to student satisfaction surveys, the teaching staff will allocate approximately 15 minutes of a class session to allow students to complete the surveys evaluating teaching performance and the course or module.
Assessment
Continuous assessment activities
| Title | Weight | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Correction Notebook Work Field Practices | 15 | 0 | 0 | CM20 |
| Global exam | 50 | 2 | 0.08 | KM25, KM27, SM23 |
| Laboratory exam | 35 | 2 | 0.08 | KM25, SM22 |
The assessment of student performance in the Sedimentary Petrology course will follow the scheme outlined below:
Comprehensive Theory Examination
The comprehensive theory examination assesses the extent to which students have acquired the theoretical contents of the course. It may include multiple-choice questions, short-answer questions, and essay-style questions designed to evaluate understanding, synthesis skills, and the ability to relate concepts.
This examination accounts for 50% of the final grade.
Laboratory Practical Examination
The practical examination assesses the ability to recognize, describe, classify, and interpret sedimentary rocks in hand specimens and thin sections.
This activity accounts for 35% of the final grade.
Fieldwork Assessment
The assessment of the fieldwork component is based on the quality of the observations made, the correct collection of data, and the submission of the field notebook at the end of the field trip.
This activity accounts for 15% of the final grade and cannot be retaken.
Resit Assessment
Students who do not pass either the comprehensive theory examination or the laboratory practical examination may sit the corresponding resit assessments on the dates established by the Faculty.
Fieldwork activities are not eligible for resit assessment.
Requirements for Passing the Course
In order to calculate the final grade, the mark obtained in both the theory examination and the laboratory practical examination must be 5.0 or higher.
If this minimum mark is not achieved, the final course grade will be capped at 4.5.
Attendance at laboratory practical sessions and the field trip is compulsory. Absence from three or more laboratory sessions will result in failure of the course.
Review of Assessment Activities
Grades will be published on the Virtual Campus. Together with the results, the date, time, and procedure for reviewing each assessment activity will be provided.
Academic Integrity
Any academic misconduct, including cheating, plagiarism, impersonation, or the unauthorized use of devices or resources during an assessment activity, will be sanctioned in accordance with the current UAB academic regulations.
Use of Artificial Intelligence
The use of generative artificial intelligence tools is not permitted in any assessed activity of this course. Assignments, reports, questionnaires, and examinations must exclusively reflect the student's own work and knowledge.
The total or partial generation of content using generative AI tools will be considered academic misconduct and will be dealt with in accordance with UAB regulations.
To consult the academic regulations approved by the Governing Council of the UAB, please follow this link: https://www.uab.cat/doc/TR_Normativa_Academica_Plans_Nous
Bibliography
ADAMS, A.E., MACKENZIE, W.S. Y GUILDFORD, C. (1984). Atlas of sedimentary rocks under the microscope. Logman Scientific and Technical. 103 pp. (disponible en línia-portal Servei Biblioteques UAB)
ARCHE, A. (2010). Sedimentología: Del proceso físico a la cuenca sedimentaria. Textos Universitarios, 46, CSIC. Madrid, 1287 pp. Topogràfic biblio: 551.3. 051 Sed (disponible en línia-portal Servei Biblioteques UAB)
BLATT, H. (1992): Sedimentary Petrology. Segunda edición. W.M. Freeman and Co., 514 p. 552.5 Bla
BOGGS, S. (2009). Petrology of Sedimentary Rocks. Cambridge University Press, The Edinburgh Building, Cambridge CB2 8RU, UK, 600 pp.
CASTRO, A. (1989): Petrografía bàsica: Texturas, clasificación y nomenclatura de rocas. Editorial paraninfo, Madrid, 143 p. (Capítol 3. Pàgines 77-92)
GÓMEZ-GRAS, D. (1999). Petrologia Sedimentària de roques detrítiques. Manual de pràctiques de laboratori. Col·lecció Materials nº 70. Servei de Publicacions de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Bellaterra, 74 pp.
MELGAREJO, J. C. (1997): Atlas de asociaciones minerales en lámina delgada. Edicions Universitat de Barcelona., 1076 p.
MIDDLETON, G.V. (2003). Encyclopedia of Sediments and Sedimentary Rocks. Springer Verlag., 928 p..
NICHOLS, G. (1999). Sedimentology and Stratigraphy. Blackwell Science Ltd, Oxford, 355 pp.
RAYMOND, L.A. (1995). Petrology. WCB publishers. Capítol 3. Sedimentary. Pàgines 264-466. Topogràfic biblio: 552 Ray
SCHOLLE, P.A. (1979). A color illustrated guide to constituents, cements and porosities of sandstones and associated rocks. A.A.P.G. Memoir 28, 201 pp. Topogràfic biblio: 552.5 Sch
TARBUCK, E.J. i LUTGENS, F.K. (1999). Ciencias de la Tierra. Una introducción a la Geología Física. Prentice Hall, Madrid, 616 pp.
TUCKER, M.E.; JONES, S.J. (2023). Sedimentary Petrology. (4th Ed.) WILEY, UK, 445pp. Topogràfic biblio: 552.5 Sch
STOW, A.V. (2007). Sedimentary Rocks in the Field. A color Guide. 3rd edition. Manson. 318p.
WARREN, J. (1999). Evaporites. Blackwell Science Ltd, Oxford, 327 pp.
Webgrafia:
DA MOMMIO, A. Alex Strekeisen. Pàgina web: https://www.alexstrekeisen.it/english/index.php
Universidad Complutense de Madrid. Atlas de Petrografía de Rocas Sedimentarias. Pàgina web: http://www.ucm.es/info/petrosed/index.html
Software
To follow the course it is not necessary to use a specific computer program.
Course groups and languages
The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE
| Type of teaching | Group | Language | Semester | Shift |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (TE) Theory | 1 | Catalan | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (PLAB) Practical laboratories | 1 | Catalan | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (PCAM) Field practices | 1 | Catalan | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (PLAB) Practical laboratories | 2 | Catalan | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (PCAM) Field practices | 2 | Catalan | first semester | morning-mixed |