Lesson 1X-ray diffraction (XRD): phase identification goals and sample preparation notesDis part cover XRD for BIF, focusing on spotting phases, measuring iron oxides, carbonates, silicates, spotting shapeless parts. Focus on sampling, grinding, avoid wrong orientation problems.
Choosing representative XRD samplesPowder preparation and grain-size controlInstrument settings and scan parametersIdentifying iron oxides, carbonates, silicatesSemi-quantitative phase estimation limitsLesson 2Stable isotopes (O, Si, C): what each proxy reveals about temperature, fluid sources, and diagenesisDis part look at stable O, Si, C isotopes in BIF materials, explaining wetin each show about temperature, fluid sources, water-rock mix, diagenesis, and how to join multi-isotope data with petrographic sights.
Sampling carbonates, cherts, and silicatesO isotope constraints on fluid temperatureSi isotopes and silica source signalsC isotopes in associated carbonatesCombining isotopes with petrographyLesson 3Dating approaches relevant to BIF studies: U-Pb on intercalated volcanics or zircons, Re-Os on sulfides, and stratigraphic correlation methodsDis part review dating tools for BIF layers, like U-Pb on zircons from mixed volcanics, Re-Os on sulfides, chemostratigraphy and lithostratigraphy matching, showing strengths, doubts, join strategies.
Selecting datable interlayered unitsU-Pb zircon sampling and interpretationRe-Os sulfide sampling and limitationsChemostratigraphic correlation in BIFsIntegrating ages with regional stratigraphyLesson 4Designing a sampling plan: sample spacing in outcrop and core, targeting cycles, and strategies for composite sectionsDis part outline how to plan BIF sampling in outcrop and core, spacing, target sedimentary cycles, catch facies changes, build composite sections wey keep stratigraphic story but easy to do.
Defining scientific questions and scalesSampling spacing in outcrop and coreTargeting facies and cycle boundariesBuilding composite stratigraphic sectionsDocumenting locations and metadataLesson 5Optical petrography: objectives, thin-section techniques (transmitted and reflected light), and key textures to documentDis part introduce optical petrography for BIF, stressing how transmitted and reflected light thin sections show mineralogy, textures, microstructures wey record deposit, diagenesis, deformation, fluid overprints.
Objectives of BIF petrographic studiesPreparing transmitted light thin sectionsPreparing reflected light polished sectionsRecognizing primary banding and laminationIdentifying diagenetic and metamorphic texturesLesson 6Iron isotope analyses and their interpretive use for redox and source studiesDis part introduce iron isotope work in BIF research, covering sampling, cleaning methods, mass spec, how δ56Fe signs limit redox processes, iron sources, microbe work, diagenetic overprints in old basins.
Sampling strategies for Fe isotopesChemical purification of iron fractionsMC-ICP-MS measurement considerationsInterpreting δ56Fe in depositional settingsRecognizing diagenetic isotope overprintsLesson 7Types of samples: bulk rock, oriented slabs, thin sections, polished mounts, and targeted micro-drilled powdersDis part define BIF sample types and uses, from bulk rock, oriented slabs to thin sections, polished mounts, micro-drilled powders, stressing how each help petrographic, geochemical, isotopic work and explanations.
Bulk rock samples for whole-rock chemistryOriented slabs for structural contextStandard and doubly polished thin sectionsPolished mounts for reflected light and EMPAMicro-drilled powders for isotope analysesLesson 8Whole-rock major and trace element geochemistry (XRF/ICP-MS): elements to measure, expected ranges, and redox-sensitive proxies (Fe, Si, Mn, P, rare earth elements)Dis part explain whole-rock XRF and ICP-MS for BIF, main and trace elements to check, expected ranges, redox proxies like Fe, Si, Mn, P, REE patterns to guess deposit and diagenetic conditions.
Sampling and contamination avoidanceFusion and dissolution preparation methodsKey major elements and Fe/Si ratiosTrace elements and REE pattern metricsRedox-sensitive elemental proxy selectionLesson 9Electron microprobe and SEM-EDS: mineral chemistry, zoning, and micro-texture documentationDis part detail electron microprobe and SEM-EDS for BIF, focus on mineral chemistry, zoning, micro-textures. Learners go plan analysis lines, read maps, connect small sights to whole-rock geochem patterns.
Sample polishing and coating requirementsBackscattered and secondary electron imagingPoint analyses and line transectsElemental mapping of mineral zoningLinking microtextures to bulk chemistry
