GEORISOURCES FOR CULTURAL HERITAGE AND THE ENVIRONMENT

The objectives of the course, according to the Dublin descriptors, are the following:

Knowledge and understanding: The course aims to provide adequate knowledge of: a) the main geo-resources of economic interest and their exploitation; b) the processes and contexts of genesis of exploitable geomaterials; c) examples of use of geo-resources in industry and cultural heritage; d) the negative effects on health and the environment resulting from the use of specific geo-resources; e) the basic principles of the main analytical techniques for the chemical and mineralogical characterization of geomaterials.

Applying knowledge and understanding: The student will have adequate skills in the use of the main analytical techniques for the chemical-mineralogical characterization of geomaterials. He will be able to apply them to real cases as well as to organize, interpret and process data resulting from the analysis of specific georesources.

Making judgements: The student will be encouraged to independently deepen his/her knowledge on the topics covered and to keep a constant comparison with the other students and with the teacher in order to critically monitor the learning process.

Communication skills: Attending lessons and reading the suggested texts will help the student to acquire an adequate technical-scientific language through the learning of specific terms, definitions, acronyms and concepts related to the topics covered. Through constant interaction with the teacher, the student will learn to present the acquired knowledge with rigor and clarity.

Learning skills: The student will be guided in the process of improving his/her study method. In particular, through appropriate guided exercises, he/she will be able to independently deal with new topics and update the knowledge acquired in the field of georesources through the reading of texts and/or scientific articles.

28 hours (4 CFU): lectures teaching module

24 hours (2 CFU): laboratory module

Information for students with disabilities and/or DSA

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, Giorgio De Guidi.

Basic knowledge of Mineralogy and Petrography is required.

Introduction to mineral resources; classification of minerals and rocks of economic interest; resources and reserves; use and economic value of georesources; classification and exploitation of mineral deposits.

Examples of georesources used in industry and cultural heritage: clays and clay minerals; kaolin; bentonite; zeolites; traditional and industrial ceramic materials.

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: 1) X-ray diffraction (XRD) - theoretical principles, sample preparation techniques, analysis and interpretation of a XRD pattern; 2) X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) - theoretical principles, sample preparation techniques, destructive and non-destructive analysis, interpretation and data processing; 3) Scanning electron microscopy and microanalysis (SEM-EDS) - theoretical principles, sample preparation techniques, SEM micromorphological analysis and EDS microanalysis of geomaterials.

Course material (ppt slides).

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 is aimed at ascertaining the knowledge of the topics covered in the course.

The student will be asked to:

1) discuss about one of the georesouces covered in the course

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

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