Syllabus (GEOLOGY)

Course Type: MAJ-6

Semester: 5

Course Code: BGELMAJ06C

Course Title: Mineralogy and Geochemistry

(L-P-Tu): 4-2-0

Credit: 6

Practical/Theory: Combined

Course Objective: Mineral science imparts a thorough knowledge of minerals which is fundamental unit of rock. Theory and practical mode of teaching aim to inculcate holistic knowledge on mineralogy.

Learning Outcome: Students will be equipped with the knowledge of identifying minerals in the field and in laboratories. Finally, they could assemble these knowledge in understanding and identifying areas with economic potentials.

Theory

Unit I: Mineralogical structure & Crystal chemistry

1. Ionic radius and coordination, Pauling’s rules. Solid Solution, Polymorphism, Pseudomorphism

2. Atomic structure of silicate minerals

3. Study of different rock forming group of minerals

Unit II: Optical Mineralogy

1. Nature of light and optical behaviour of minerals.

2. Introduction to petrological microscopy

Unit III: Basic concepts of Geochemistry

1. Introduction to properties of elements; Chemical bonding

2. Meteorite-classification and significance.

3. Cosmic abundance of elements.

4. Geochemical classification of elements.

Unit IV: Geochemistry of solid Earth

1. Composition of the bulk silicate Earth.

2. Composition of core, mantle, and crust; depleted mantle and enriched mantle.

3. Concept of partition coefficient, compatible and incompatible elements; REE-essential characters

4. Geochemical behaviour of elements during magmatic crystallization, partial melting.

Unit V: Isotope and Low temperature geochemistry

1. Introduction to isotope geochemistry; Radiogenic and stable isotopes.

2. Radiometric dating techniques.

3. Aqueous geochemistry- basic concepts and application in geological processes like weathering, diagenesis & hydrothermal system

4. Eh and pH relationships.

List of Practicals:

1. Hand specimen identification of felsic & mafic minerals.

2. Study of optical properties of common rock-forming non opaque minerals like quartz, orthoclase, microcline, plagioclase, perthite, nepheline, olivine, orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene, hornblende, staurolite, garnet, muscovite, biotite, calcite

3. Different Geochemical variation diagrams and its interpretations; Harker plot, Alkali lime index etc.

4. Distribution coefficient and associated problems

Suggested Reference Books:

• Klein, C., Dutrow, B., Dwight, J., & Klein, C. (2007). The 23rd Edition of the Manual of Mineral Science (after James D. Dana). J. Wiley & Sons.

• Deer, W. A., Howie, R. A., & Zussman, J. (1992). An introduction to the rock-forming minerals (Vol. 696). London: Longman.

• Nesse, W. D. (2011). Introduction to Optical Mineralogy (Fourth Edition). Oxford University Press.

• Verma, P. K. (2010). Optical Mineralogy (Four Colour). Ane Books Pvt Ltd.

• Nesse, W.D., 2000, Introduction to Mineralogy, Oxford University Press, New York, 442 p.

• Mason, B. (1986). Principles of Geochemistry. 3rd Edition, Wiley, New York.

• Rollinson, H. (2007). Using geochemical data – evaluation, presentation and interpretation 2nd Edition. Publisher Longman Scientific and Technical.

• Walther, J. V. (2009). Essentials of geochemistry. Jones and Bartlett Publishers.

• Albarède, F. (2003). Geochemistry: an introduction. Cambridge University Press.

• Faure, Gunter and Teresa M. Mensing (2004). Isotopes Principles and Applications. Wiley India Pvt. Ltd

• Killops S.D., Killops V.J. 2005. An introduction to organic geochemistry. 2nd ed.