Lesson 1X-ray diffraction (XRD): phase identification goals and sample preparation notesThis part covers XRD ways for BIF, focusing on naming phases, counting iron oxides, carbonates, silicates, and spotting non-crystal parts. Stress on taking, grinding, and avoiding line-up errors.
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 diagenesisThis part looks at steady O, Si, C isotopes in BIF things, explaining what each shows about heat, water sources, rock-water mix, and change, and how to join multi-isotope data with rock looks.
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 methodsThis part checks dating tools for BIF rock stacks, like U-Pb on zircon from mixed volcano rocks, Re-Os on sulfur minerals, and chem and rock stack matching, pointing strengths, doubts, and joining ways.
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 sectionsThis part outlines planning BIF sampling in outcrop and core, with spaces, aiming at sediment repeats, catching face shifts, and making joined stacks that keep rock order while 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 documentThis part starts light rock study for BIF, stressing how pass and reflect light thin slices show minerals, looks, tiny builds that record deposit, change, bend, and water covers.
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 studiesThis part starts iron isotope check in BIF work, covering take ways, clean methods, mass measure, and how δ56Fe marks limit redox ways, iron sources, germ work, and change covers 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 powdersThis part names BIF sample kinds and uses, from whole rock and aimed slabs to usual thin slices, smoothed mounts, and tiny drill powders, stressing how each helps rock, element, isotope checks and reads.
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)This part explains whole-rock XRF and ICP-MS flows for BIF, with main and trace targets, expected make-up ranges, and redox marks like Fe, Si, Mn, P, REE shapes to guess deposit and change states.
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 documentationThis part details electron probe and SEM-EDS for BIF, focusing mineral make-up, zones, tiny looks. You plan check lines, read maps, link tiny sees to whole-rock element shapes.
Sample polishing and coating requirementsBackscattered and secondary electron imagingPoint analyses and line transectsElemental mapping of mineral zoningLinking microtextures to bulk chemistry
