GEORESOURCES FOR CULTURAL HERITAGE AND THE ENVIRONMENT

The course aims to provide students with adequate knowledge and skills on: a) the main geo-resources employed in industry and cultural heritage; b) the environmental and health issues related to the use of specific geomaterials; c) the main analytical techniques for their geochemical, mineralogical and petrographic characterization.

In particular, among the learning objectives, the following skills will be assessed:

Knowledge and understanding: knowledge of the main georesources of economic interest and their methods of exploitation; knowledge of the geochemical, mineralogical, and petrographic properties of geomaterials, as well as of their origin and transformations in natural and anthropogenic contexts; understanding of environmental systems, georesources, and geological heritage in relation to sustainability and interactions with human activities; understanding of the negative effects that the use of specific geomaterials may have on human health and the environment.

Applying knowledge and understanding: ability to apply geochemical, mineralogical, and petrographic analytical techniques to characterize the composition, origin, and properties of geological materials; ability to translate geological knowledge into practical assessments that support sustainable land management and the enhancement of georesources and geological heritage.

Autonomy of judgment: through laboratory activities and group exercises, students will develop the ability to select the most appropriate methodologies for the characterization of specific georesources and to critically analyze the data obtained.

Communication skills: through the preparation of reports on specific topics covered during the course, students will develop the ability to analyze, synthesize, and effectively communicate technical and scientific results, as well as the ability to produce technical documentation.

Learning skills: the preparation of technical reports will enable students to develop the skills required to independently consult databases, scientific literature, and relevant regulations and standards.

Teaching will be carried out through participatory lessons (4 ECTS credits - 28 hours) and laboratory activities (2 ECTS credits - 24 hours). The laboratory sessions are designed to develop students' skills in sample preparation, chemical and mineralogical analysis techniques, and the processing of the resulting data using specific software tools and spreadsheet applications.

If the course is delivered in blended or remote mode, appropriate adjustments may be made to the above, in order to ensure consistency with the syllabus.

Knowledge of mineralogy and petrography.

Presentation of the topics to be covered during the course. Review of fundamental concepts in mineralogy and petrology.

Introduction to mineral resources and classification of minerals and rocks of economic interest. Resources and reserves. Use and economic value of georesources. Classification and exploitation of mineral deposits. Quarries and mines.

Examples of georesources used in industry and cultural heritage: clays and clay minerals; kaolin; bentonite; zeolites; geopolymers; mortars, concretes and cements.

Effects of specific georesources on environment and health: asbestiform minerals; free silica; particulate matter air pollution; volcanic ashes.

Analytical techniques for the chemical-mineralogical characterization of geomaterials:

-       X-ray diffraction (XRD): theoretical principles, sample preparation techniques, analysis and interpretation of a XRD pattern through the use of specific software tools;

-       X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF): theoretical principles, sample preparation techniques, destructive and non-destructive analysis, interpretation and graphical processing of data using spreadsheet software;

-       Scanning electron microscopy and microanalysis (SEM-EDS): theoretical principles, sample preparation techniques, SEM micromorphological analysis and EDS microanalysis of geomaterials, processing of data using spreadsheet software.

Lecture notes available on Studium.

Suggested books:

- Swapna Mukherjee. Applied mineralogy: Applications in industry and environment. Springer, 2011.

- J. R. Craig, D. J. Vaughan, B. J. Skinner. Earth resources and the Environment. Fourth edition, Ed. Pearson Education Limited, 2014.

An oral examination of about 30 minutes is aimed at ascertaining the level of knowledge and understanding achieved by the student on the contents indicated in the program. Other evaluation criteria will include:

a) command of the discipline-specific terminology;

b) ability to critically analyse the topics under consideration;

c) ability to apply acquired knowledge to practical examples.

Assessment of learning can also be carried out online, should the conditions require it. To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, interested students can request a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures, based on educational objectives and specific needs.

It is also possible to contact the CInAP (Center for Active and Participated Integration - Services for Disabilities and/or DSA) through the reference Professor of our Department (prof. Lanzafame) (https://www.cinap.unict.it/content/referenti).

The student will be asked to:

1) discuss about one or more georesouces covered in the course

2) describe one of the analytical techniques (basic theoretical principles and application examples)

3) analyze the effects of specific georesources on environment and health