PETROGRAPHIC GEOCHEMICAL METHODS FOR SOIL PROTECTION
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- Versione italiana
- Academic year
- 2022/2023
- Teacher
- BARBARA FACCINI
- Credits
- 6
- Didactic period
- Secondo Semestre
- SSD
- GEO/07
Training objectives
- The course aims to develop a multidisciplinary geological approach for the study of soils and their fertility characteristics.
This in the light of climate changes that require a change of mentality in the management of cultivation, industrial and livestock processes.
The course begins with the fundamental concepts of geology and then approaches the soil from a petrographic point of view, that is mineralogical-geochemical and textural, to then deepen and unravel the a-biotic and biotic processes that involve the main nutrients used by plants.
Knowledge on the use of geomaterials and other conditioners to protect the soil, and the sustainability of agricultural and agro-energy activities will also be provided.
At the end of the course, the student will know:
- the use geological terminology correctly;
- how to classify rocks and soils;
- how to assess the origin and type of transport undergone by the sediments that make up a soil;
- how to interpret experimental data on chemical-physical characteristics of soils and their main components;
- how to develop sustainable agricultural and environmental approaches to improve the resilience of the territory. Prerequisites
- To attend the course, it is mandatory for the student to have:
- basic concepts of mathematical analysis;
- basic concepts of physics and chemistry;
- basic concepts of geology and stratigraphy Course programme
- The course consists of classroom lessons that will address the following topics:
PART ONE
Basics of general geology. Genesis and classification criteria of igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. The cycle of rocks. The geochemical approach to the study of rocks: major elements, trace elements and isotopes.
High and low temperature alteration processes. Erosion, transport and sedimentation. Morphology and landscape. The factors at play.
Pedogenesis.
The inorganic constituents of the soil: silicates, carbonates, phosphates, halides, oxides.
Mineralogical-geochemical composition of soils.
Soil classification criteria.
SEdimentary petrography, the criteria for identifying the deposition processes and the basins of origin of the sediments on the basis of the constituent minerals.
Chemical, physical and hydrological properties of soils, also in relation to pollution and climate change.
The geochemical cycles of Nitrogen, Carbon and Phosphorus in the soil system.
Production of greenhouse gases by the soil and by the different types of cultivation.
PART TWO
Structural modifications of the soil. The Zeolife project and the use of geological materials and other organic and inorganic amendments in agriculture. The use of livestock and industrial waste in agriculture.
The role of climate change and anthropogenic action on soils, with particular reference to the Italian and European situation. Case studies. Didactic methods
- The course is mainly structured in frontal theoretical lessons. In particular, 48 hours of teaching are planned (6 CFU). Lessons are held weekly in the classroom and the teaching is done through the use of slides on power-points. Rock recognition/classification exercises and processing of geochemical-granulometric data using excel program are foreseen.
Learning assessment procedures
- The aim of the exam is to verify the level of knowledge and depth of the topics of the course program and the reasoning skills developed by the student.
The evaluation is expressed out of thirty (minimum grade 18). The exam consists of an oral test. Reference texts
- - "Le rocce e i loro costituenti". L. Morbidelli, Bardi Eds., ISBN: 9788888620817.
- "The nature and properties of soils". R.R. Weil and N.C. Brady, Pearson Eds., ISBN 13: 978-1-292-16223-2.
