Integrated Course: GEOLOGY and marine botany

Module GEOLOGIA MARINA

A: KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

The course aims to provide students with knowledge of the main geological phenomena occurring in the marine environment, offering the theoretical and methodological background necessary to understand the oceanic system. By the end of the course, students will acquire specific knowledge and understanding regarding:

·        Origin and composition of rocks: Knowledge of the different types of marine sediments, the processes that generate them, and their distribution across oceanic basins. Understanding of the nature and geodynamic mechanisms responsible for the formation and evolution of different types of basins.

·        Fundamentals of Geography, Mineralogy, and Paleontology: Geographic and morpho-bathymetric framework of ocean floors, coastlines, and beaches. Understanding of the principles of seismo-stratigraphy and basin evolution, supported by shallow and deep survey methodologies to understand the main physiographic features of the underwater landscape.

·        Fundamentals of Mathematics and Physics: Understanding of the physical principles governing coastal dynamics, wave propagation, and the hydrodynamic characteristics of surface and deep ocean circulation. Learning the physical principles underlying the acquisition, propagation, and processing of acoustic and seismic data for seafloor exploration.

B: APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

·        Application of the Scientific Method: Formulate and conduct investigations related to the marine environment based on observation and experimental verification.

·        Problem-solving skills in natural and environmental sciences: Diagnose critical issues concerning the marine environment and identify suitable solutions for territorial protection.

·        Broad-spectrum methodological and instrumental procedures for environmental study: Use analytical techniques and field/laboratory tools, including multidisciplinary approaches, applied to the marine environment.

·        Acquisition of analytical tools for environmental education training: Use analytical tools to design training and educational interventions related to the marine environment.

C: MAKING JUDGEMENTS

·        Contextualization of scientific knowledge and acquired skills: Contextualize advanced scientific concepts in territorial management, with specific reference to the marine environment.

·        Teaching evaluation: Ability to evaluate the effectiveness of the teaching methodologies adopted during the course.

·        Adoption of ethical behavior in environmental sectors: Act responsibly, promoting sustainability and the protection of natural environments and ecosystems.

·        Evaluation and interpretation of laboratory and field data: Independently process experimental data and offshore surveys to define precise diagnostic frameworks.

D: COMMUNICATION SKILLS

·        Effective use of Italian and an EU language (English): Draft scientific reports and present data in both Italian and English.

·        Dissemination and outreach of topical environmental issues: Communicate complex environmental topics, particularly concerning the marine environment, adapting language for both specialists and non-specialists.

E: LEARNING SKILLS

·        Possession of basic cognitive tools for continuous updating: Independently update theoretical and practical skills related to the topics covered in the course.

·        Consultation and retrieval of bibliographic data and online resources: Search for and critically evaluate scientific literature, databases, and digital resources.

The course is organized as follows:

- Traditional lectures, carried out using a participative approach in order to obtain the maximum

involvement of the students;

- Practical exercises. Such exercises are supervised in order to be sure that all the students will learn

during the class-time how to apply the most important concepts and methods to be used in the field of

Marine Geology;

- Periodic tests, aimed to verify the level of understanding of the topic of the course and the problemsolving

capacity of the students;

- Excursion in the field with practical application of methodologies learnt during lectures.

Students are required to have acquired the concepts from the Introduction to Earth Sciences course (taught in the 1st semester of the 1st year of the Bachelor's Degree in Environmental and Natural Sciences) and the Geology course (taught in the 1st semester of the 2nd year of the Bachelor's Degree in Environmental and Natural Sciences).

Part I: Oceanic Basin Formation and Geological Processes Introduction and aims of Marine Geology. Classification of oceanic basins. Types of margins and associated structures. Current examples (Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean Sea).

Part II: Marine Sedimentation Terrigenous, mixed, and carbonate sediments. Oozes. Use of marine sediments for paleoecological and paleoenvironmental purposes. Beach sediments and coastal dynamics. Stable oxygen and carbon isotopes. Evaporite sediments and the Mediterranean Messinian Salinity Crisis. Marine sediment sampling methods.

Part III: Oceanography Characteristics of ocean water masses. Surface and deep ocean circulation. Water sampling methods. Mineral resources in the ocean.

From acquisition to interpretation of seismo-stratigraphic and bathymetric data. Deep investigation methodologies in Marine Geology: Sub-bottom Profiler (Chirp-Sparker) and Multichannel Seismic. Shallow investigation methodologies in Marine Geology: Multibeam and Side Scan Sonar. The potential of integrating seismo-stratigraphic and bathymetric data: regional case studies. Practical exercise: Integrated interpretation of seismic profiles and bathymetric data.

1. Pinet P.R. 2003 – “Invitation to Oceanography” 3rd Ed., Jones and Bartlett Publishers, 556 pp. (www.jbpub.com/oceanlink).

2. Thurman, H. V. – Burton E.A. 2001 - “Introductory Oceanography”, 9th Ed., Prentice Hall,  554 pp. (www.prenhall.com/thurman).

3. Handouts and slides provided by the teacher.

The examination consists of a practical part covering each of the three topics addressed during laboratory activities, followed by an oral examination covering all topics treated throughout the course. Assessment may also be conducted remotely if conditions require it. To guarantee equal opportunities and in compliance with current legislation, interested students may request a personal interview to arrange compensatory and/or dispensatory measures based on educational goals and specific needs. Students may also contact the CInAP department coordinator (Center for Active and Participatory Integration — Services for Disabilities and/or Specific Learning Disabilities: https://www.cinap.unict.it/content/referenti).