SUBJECT

Title

Rock-water interactions in the rock record

Type of instruction

lecture

Level

master

Part of degree program
Credits

2

Recommended in

Semester 2

Typically offered in

Spring semester

Course description

Fundamentals of the interaction of  gravitationally controlled groundwater flow systems with sediments and rocks within the sedimentary and diagenetic realm will be presented. The related major chemical and physical processes, their manifestations in various sedimentary environments and the preservational potential of such phenomena in the stratigraphic record will be discussed  in the from of seminars. Students must carry out independent literature research on selected topics. Based on the critical review of the relevant papers they present their opinion on the selected topic. Presentations are followed by free discussion.

The goal of this seminar series is twofold: (1) To help the students to acknowledge the role of groundwater as a geologic agent in all near-surface processes and (2) to develop the skills of collecting reliable scientific information, summarizing the acquired knowledge and to be able to present its essentials in comprehensible form and also to actively participate in a professional discussion.

Readings
  • Tóth, J. (1999): Groundwater as a geologic agent: An overview of the causes, processes and manifestations. Hydrogeology Journal, 7(1): 1-15.
  • Machel, H. (1999): Effects of groundwater flow on mineral diagenesis, with emphasize on carbonate aquifers. Hydrogeology Journal, 7(1) 94-108.
  • Schwartz F.W., Longstaffe, F.J. (1988): Groundwater and clastic diagenesis.  in Back,W., Rosenshein, J.S., Seaber, P.R., eds., Hydrogeology: Boulder,Colorado, GSA, The Geology of North America, v. O-2, 413-434.
  • Ingebritsen, S., Sanford,W. Neuzil, C. (2006): Groundwater in Geologic Processes, Cambridge University Press, 536 p.