00722 - MINERALOGIA

Learning outcomes

The students will learn the foundamentals on the science of mineralogy. Main goal are: - to knowledge of structures, crystal chemistry and classification of minerals; - to identify rock-forming minerals, their physical properties, occurrences; - to introduce analytical methods like x-ray diffraction and polarizing light microscope; - to identify mineral in hand specimen and thin section.

Course contents

Definition of mineral. Chemical bonding in crystals. Atomic and ionic radii. Compact packings of spheres, coordination polyhedra, Pauling's rules. Structural classification of silicates. Elements of crystallochemistry: solid solutions, binary systems with complete miscibility (forsterite-fayalite, albite-anorthite), diagrams with solvus, examples of natural systems (orthoclase-albite system, calcite-magnesite), binary systems with peritectic (leucite-silica). Binary systems with eutectic. Polymorphism: phase rule, classification of polymorphism, order-disorder (feldspars: sanidine, orthoclase, microcline), hints on polytypism.
Elements of symmetry in crystal lattices, Bravais lattices. Defects in crystals, dislocations.
Physical properties of minerals: scalar and vector properties. Density (specific gravity), melting point, brittleness, elasticity, hardness and Mohs scale, cleavage, piezoelectricity, magnetic properties, color.
X-rays and their applications. Diffraction according to Bragg. XRD. The powder method and the diffractometer.
Optical mineralogy with laboratory exercises and recognition of the most important minerals.
Systematics of the major minerals that make up rocks: olivines, garnets, pyroxenes, amphiboles, micas, feldspars, quartz, calcite. Systematics of some important minerals: Sulfides: galena, blende, pyrite, chalcopyrite. Oxides: corundum, hematite, spinels, magnetite. Halides: rock salt, fluorite. Carbonates: calcite, aragonite, dolomite, siderite, malachite. Sulfates: gypsum, barite. Silicates: quartz, K-feldspar, plagioclase, olivine, garnets, pyroxenes (augite), amphiboles (hornblende), phyllosilicates (serpentine, muscovite, biotite), beryl, leucite, zeolites.
Elements of georesources and notes on major minerals of industrial interest. Minerals and the environment.

Readings/Bibliography

C.K. Klein, A.R. Philpotts - Mineralogia e petrografia, Zanichelli 2018.

C. KLEIN - Mineral Science, Wiley.

A. PECCERILLO e D. PERUGINI - Introduzione alla petrografia ottica, Morlacchi editore.

W.D. NESSE - Introduction to mineralogy, Oxford University Press.

W.A. Deer, R.A. Howie & J. Zussman - An introduction to the Rock-Forming Minerals. Longman Scientific & Technical.

G. Valdrè, U.Valdrè. Misure e Complementi di Fisica, CLUEB Bologna.

A.Putnis, Introduction to Mineral Science, Cambridge University Press.

A. Mottana, R. Crespi, G. Liborio. Minerali e rocce. Mondadori.

Teaching methods

The course consists of 6 CFU of lectures and 2 CFU of classroom and laboratory exercises.

The exercises will consist of modules on the following topics:

The physical properties of minerals

Laboratory of optical mineralogy

Analytical Techniques for studying minerals

Recognition of major minerals of geological interest

Assessment methods

Oral examination.

Teaching tools

Videoprojector.

Labs. of the Department.

Models of crystals and structures of minerals.

Optical microscope and thin sections of minerals and rocks.

Office hours

See the website of Giovanni Valdrè

See the website of Gianfranco Ulian