Carbonate Sedimentology and Diagenesis: Geology 51-460/660 (3 Credits)

Office hours: 1:50-2:50 M, 1:00-2:15 W & F and by appointment or chance.
Schedule: To be announced

† You will be required to do a 5 minute case study presentation and discussion, a 15-minute presentation, and participate in discussions throughout the semester.

Grade scale: 92% and up = A; 87-91 = AB; 82-86 = B; 77-81 = BC; 72-76 = C; 67-71 = CD; 60-66 = D; <60% = F

Graduate credit: Students enrolled in 660 (graduate credit) must meet with Dr. Hiatt to plan, develop and complete an additional research project. This project will involve a higher level of synthesis than is required of undergraduate students in this course. Graduate grade scale: 93% and up = A; 90-92 = A-; 87-89 = B+; 83-86 = B; 80-82 = B-; 77-79 = C+; 73-76 = C; 69-72 =C-; 68% or less = F.

Required text: Tucker, M.E. and Wright, V.P., 1990, Carbonate Sedimentology: Blackwell Scientific Publications, 482p.

Course Summary: The purpose of this course is to give you an understanding of carbonate sediments, environments, and diagenesis. In carbonate systems it is critical to understand the relationships between environments sediment producing organisms, and the distribution of sediments (solid skeletal remains of organisms), because it is these sediments that later become carbonate rocks (limestone and dolostone). Carbonate sediments become limestone and dolostone through diagenetic processes. These relationships are important because much of our petroleum, natural gas, and even groundwater are derived from the pore spaces in carbonate rocks. Ultimately, the original environment in which these organisms lived provides the first order control of the size and distribution of this pore space that later becomes reservoirs for these vital natural resources.

Special Accommodations: Reasonable accommodations will be made for students with disabilities. Please contact Disability Services (424-3100 (voice) or 424-1319 (TTY)) or visit their web site at http://www.uwosh.edu/dean/disabilities.htm for the University’s accommodation request form and documentation requirements. Information related to an individual’s accommodation request will be kept confidential.

Academic Integrity: The Wisconsin Administrative Code states: “Students are responsible for the honest completion and representation of their work, for the appropriate citation of sources, and for respect of others academic endeavors.” (§ UWS 14.01) Plagiarism and other forms of academic misconduct are serious offenses with severe penalties. See the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Student Discipline Code for definitions of academic misconduct and details about procedures, sanctions, and other relevant information. Specific questions about the provisions in the Student Discipline Code should be directed to the Dean of Students Office. If you do not understand this statement, please see me as soon as possible.

Lecture Schedule.

* refers to chapters and pages in: Tucker, M.E. and Wright, V.P., 1990, Carbonate Sedimentology: Blackwell Scientific Publications, 482p.

Additional Resources on Reserve at the Library:

• Wilson, J.L., 1975, Carbonate facies in geologic history (QE651.w52)
• Scoffin, T.P., 1987, Carbonate Sediments and Rocks (QE471.15.C3.S38)
• Walker, R.G. and James, N.P. (eds.), 1992, Facies Models: response to sea level change: Geological Association of Canada, 454 p, QE651 .F26 1992.
  • James, N.P. and Choquette, P.W., 1990, Limestones: an introduction: p. 9-11.
  • James, N.P. and Choquette, P.W., 1990, Limestones—The sea-floor diagenetic environment: p. 13-34.
  • James, N.P. and Choquette, P.W., 1990, Limestones—The meteoric diagenetic environment, p. 35-73.
  • Chapter 15, p. 277-301. Jones, B. and Desrouchers, A., Shallow platform carbonates.
  • Chapter 17, p. 323-347. James, N.P. and Bourque, P.-A., Reefs and Mounds
• Scholle, P.A., 1983, Carbonate Depositional Environments (QE471.15.C3.C33)
• McIlreath, I.G., and Morrow, D., 1990, Diagenesis (QE571.053)
• Scholle, P.A., 1978, A color illustrated guide to carbonate rock constituents (QE471.15.C3.S36)
• Moore, C.H., 1989, Carbonate diagenesis and porosity (QE581.D48 v.046)
• Doyle, P., 1998, Understanding fossils (QE 770 D69 1998)
• Boardman, R.S., Cheetham, A.H., and Rowell, A.J., (eds.), 1987, Fossil invertebrates (QE 770 F67 1987)