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| GEOL0294-1 | Paleoalterations in geological times
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| Duration : | 12h Th, 12h Pr, 1d FW |
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| Holder(s) : | Johan Yans |
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| Language : | French language |
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| Course contents : | (Paleo)alterations are the result of physico-chemical transformations of rocks caused by fluids in equilibrium with their (paleo)environment. They form upon sedimentary rocks, volcanic and magmatic, upon the most superficial part of the terrestrial crust. Paleoalterations are located at the interface of exchanges between the lithosphere, the atmosphere, the biosphere and the hydrosphere. For this reason they take part in global changes that affect the Earth, especially as regards consumption of atmospheric CO2. Studying them contributes to a better understanding of the eustatic and geodynamic climate history of the Earth.
From an applied point of view the study of paleoalterations concerns six main areas. In gitology, we concentrate on substances whose economic interest is essential (Ni, Cr, Al, Fe, Mn...). In civil engineering, constructions to be erected upon altered substrata require special precautions that must be planned in advance. In the area of natural risks, slippage of geological formations, mudslides and natural wells are phenomena that are frequently linked to paleoalteration. In hydrogeology, layers of water tend to be found in fracture zones located directly under the border of altered zones. In agronomy, the productivity of fields and forests is influenced by the nature of altered superficial rocks. Finally in geoprospecting, paleoalteration indicates a lithology favourable to burial of wastes. |
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| Course objective : | The theoretical part of the course (12 hours) covers the basic principles of paleoalteration (chemical and mineralogical transformations, geometrical constraints), which are a part of the global geological picture, and also investigates the causes associated with alteration due to meteors.
Students will learn to identify traces of alteration caused by meteors in the rocks that are found in classical earth sciences. The main causes of alteration by meteors will be discussed. |
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| Workshops : | Practical work assignments will concern:
- determination and interpretation of the mineralogy and geochemistry of paleoaltered rocks, beginning with protoliths (2 x 3 hours)
- readings and synthesis, oral and written, of articles on the fundamental approach or the applied approach to paleoalterations (4 hours) ; an oral presentation (15 minutes) and a brief written report will be required for each student.
A field trip (1 day) will take students to the sites of Transinne, la Borne de Fer and the quarry of Ottrange. |
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| Contacts : | Johan YANS
teacher at FUNDP
Phone: 081/72.44.66
E-mail : johan.yans@fundp.ac.be |
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