05-BMG-SE1 Sedimentology of Coast and Shelf

Coasts and shelves are areas where natural processes and ecosystems are often affected by human activities: e.g. extraction of mineral resources, fishing, offshore infrastructures and energy, maritime transport and coastal infrastructures. Moreover, sea-level rise and climate change can profoundly affect the equilibrium and evolution of coastal sedimentary systems. This module covers the description of the different depositional systems that can be found in siliciclastic and carbonate environments and the methods for their identification (e.g. bathymetry, seismic, sediment cores, well logging). The processes involved in erosion, transport and accumulation of sediment in coast and shelf systems, and the effect of climate and sea-level changes will be also discussed. Basic concepts of basin analysis, sequence stratigraphy and well logging will be introduced to explain and practice paleoenvironmental reconstructions from geological records (e.g. sediment supply, subsidence, sea level, paleocurrents).

1) Recognise coastal and shelf siliciclastic and carbonate depositional systems and comprehend the processes at their origin
2) Identify shallow-water depositional systems and their evolution based on their sedimentation patterns
3) Understand the role of sea-level oscillations in the factors affecting sedimentation (e.g. sediment supply, hydodynamic conditions, morphology and position of the coast)
4) Understand the effect of climate and environmental changes in coastal carbonate production

Course Type 1: Lecture, Exercise (L+E) 2.0 SWS ( 28.0 h)

Course Type 2: Lecture, Exercise (L+E) 2.0 SWS ( 28.0 h)

Tutorial(s): -

56.0 h presence time
64.0 h self-study
60.0 h exam workload

180 h total workload

module exam

exam elements: 1
SL: 0

100 % written exam

1) TUCKER, M.E. & WRIGHT, V.P. 1990. Carbonate Sedimentology. Blackwell, Oxford. 482 p
2) SCHÄFER, A. 2005. Klastische Sedimente - Fazies und Sequenzstratigraphie. Elsevier / Spektrum Akademischer Verlag, München, 414 pp.
3) READING, H.G. (ed.) 1996. Sedimentary Environments: Processes, Facies and Stratigraphy. 3rd Edition. Blackwell Science (Oxford), 688 pp.
4) LEEDER, M. 1999. Sedimentology and Sedimentary Basins. Blackwell Science, Oxford, 592 pp.