Stardust - meteorites - the interior of the Earth

elective courses

(in Polish) Zalecane odbycie i zaliczenie przedmiotu mineralogia, petrologia i geochemia dla studiów geologicznych I stopnia.

The lecture is an extensive introduction to the issues related to the formation and development of the chemical composition of the Universe, with particular emphasis on the Solar System. The topics presented include: 1) "stardust" - the nucleosynthesis of the chemical elements in stars, presolar grains, the processes of element partition between the phases forming the nebula from which the Solar System was formed, 2) "meteorites" - a systematic review of the chemical composition of extra-terrestrial objects (the Sun, meteorites, asteroids, Moon, Mars, etc.), the application of geochemical tools to the study of the processes occurring in the early stages of the existence of the Solar System, 3) "the interior of the Earth" - the chemical composition of the whole Earth, including core, mantle and crust, hypotheses explaining the currently observed differences in the chemical composition of internal geospheres, contemporary views on the formation and development of the earth's crust.

1. Necessary introductory issues:

atom, ion radius, electronegativity, ion potential, periodic table, chemical and geochemical classification of the elements, isotopes and nuclides, radioactive decay, nuclear decay processes (alpha, beta decay, electron capture, nuclear fusion processes).

2. Processes of the formation of the elements:

The Big Bang model, nucleosynthesis in low- and medium-mass stars, nucleosynthesis in massive stars, chemical development of the Galaxy.

3. The abundances of the elements in the Universe and in the Solar System:

estimation of the chemical composition of the Sun, chemical composition of meteorites and the importance of the CI class meteorites, the abundace of elements and isotopes in the Solar System, chemical differentiation between the Sun and the Universe.

4. Presolar grains.

5. Meteorites:

classification of meteorites, primitive and differentiated meteorites, structure and composition of chondrite meteorites, classification of chondrites, non-chondritic meteorites (primary and igneous achondrites, iron and stony-iron meteorites), lunar and Martian chondrites.

6. Anhydrous and hydrous planetesimals:

Asteroids and meteorites, chemical composition and thermal evolution of anhydrous asteroids, structure of the asteroid belt, ice-containing objects, chemical composition of comets, altered meteorites.

7. Chronology and cosmochemical models of the formation and development of the early Solar System:

Environment of the formation of the Sun, age and chronology of the early Solar System, accretion of parent objects for meteorites, structure and processes in the accretion disk, accretion and chemical composition of planets, formation of terrestrial planets and outer planets.

8. Moon and Mars:

The Moon research, the chemical composition of the Moon's mantle and core, the geochemical development of Mars, the importance and influence of the Moon and Mars research on the development othe f Earth research.

9. Earth's core

Structure of the Earth's core, zone D", studies of the Earth's core (direct and indirect data, theoretical assumptions), chemical composition of the inner and outer core (main elements, the presence of light and radioactive elements), estimation and determination of the chemical composition of the core (meteoric data, models of formation Earth, the planetary volatility curve), the time of the core formation, the core and the core-mantle boundary.

10. Earth’s mantle.

Structure and mineralogical composition of the Earth's mantle, mantle phase transitions, mantle circulation/recycling models, the importance of oceanic island basalt and subduction zones for the heterogeneous nature of the mantle, elemental and isotopic composition of the mantle (incompatible elements, isotopes Pb, Nd, Sr and He), presence and the role of mantle plumes in establishing the current chemical composition of the mantle).

11. Earth's crust (outline)

Structure of the Earth's crust, chemical composition of the oceanic and continental crust, formation and growth of the continental crust, weathering processes of rock-forming minerals and their importance in the cycle of elements.

The student understands the complex phenomena and processes related to the formation and chemical development of the Universe and the Solar System. Has the knowledge of the current views on the presolar material from which the Solar System planetary nebula was formed, as well as the formation of planets and parental bodies for meteorites. He is familiar with the division and structure of meteorites and is able to relate their chemical and petrographic features with physicochemical processes taking place in the early Solar System. He knows and understands the relationship between cosmochemistry and geochemistry, petrology and mineralogy. He can use cosmochemical data to characterize and describe material of terrestrial origin. Understands the importance of the chemical research of the Moon and Mars for a better understanding of the development of the Solar System and the Earth. He knows the chemical composition of the Earth's core, mantle and crust, is familiar with the most important views on their current chemical composition, is able to indicate and characterize the chemical relationships between them. They are prepared to independently study and interpret advanced geochemical and cosmochemical literature.

K_W01 - has knowledge of the processes and factors shaping the Earth in the field of Quaternary geology, geomorphology, stratigraphy, sedimentology, palaeontology, geochemistry, mineralogy, petrology, geology of deposits

K_W06 - knows modern instrumental analytical methods used in the study of mineral and organic substances, knows the advantages and limitations of individual methods, knows the importance of empirical research in the reconstruction of natural environments

K_U07 - can describe the internal structure of a rock, analyze the processes leading to its formation, geotectonic environment and transformation processes, can define the thermodynamic conditions necessary for the formation of specific types of rocks

K_U11 - has the ability to study professional Polish and world literature as well as unpublished materials, has language skills at the B2 + level, gained through the use of English-language literature while preparing for seminars and writing a thesis; has the ability to independently draw conclusions and use in research work

K_K01 - The graduate is ready to constantly improve his professional competence and find new technologies in order to solve research problems by familiarizing himself with professional literature and legal acts

K_K04 - by carrying out geological research tasks, knows how to identify problems and propose appropriate ways of solving them

Credit may be oral or written, depending on the size of the group; the written form (written test / exam) consists of multiple-choice or open questions (short essay); the test is carried out remotely or stationary via the Kampus digital platform or Google Classroom.

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