EA3003:03
Surficial and Quaternary Geology
Cairns
26 lectures, 36 hours practicals, 8 hours field work. Block mode in February.
Staff: Dr B Lottermoser.
Weathering and the Australian landscape: materials and landform evolution. Regolith geology: silcrete, calcrete, ferricrete. Development of the weathering mantle: age, setting, profile formation, ore formation. Methods used for dating surficial deposits including relative dating and isotope geochemistry. Weathering of sulphides. Geochemistry and mineralogy of the supergene and oxide zone environment. Acid mine drainage and the rehabilitation of disturbed and contaminated surficial materials and sites. Applied sedimentology and contamination of sediments by anthropogenic activities.
Learning Objectives:
- to understand the origin of the Australian landscape, especially the young and surficial deposits and landscape of northeastern Queensland;
- to understand the applicability of geochemistry in delineating and understanding natural and anthropogenic pollution problems;
- to introduce students to simple rehabilitation measures of disturbed or contaminated geological materials and grounds.
Assessment by a three-hour theory examination (50%); practical exercises, seminars, fieldwork and assignments (50%).
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