Microscopical Identification of Biogenic and Lithic Grains in Sands (1775), September 29–October 1, 2026 In-Person
COURSE OUTLINE & SYLLABUS
Course schedule: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. all three days
This three-day hands-on course taught by Kate Clover will offer participants the opportunity to use microscopes in the McCrone reserach Institute laboratories and classrooms to study sands from around the world and to learn to identify both biogenic and lithic grains. Sand compositions vary greatly, and each sample tells the story of the regional marine ecosystem and/or geology. The workshop will alternate between lecture presentations and hands-on microscope time. Participants will, for example, learn about the morphological characteristics of corals and sea urchins, then probe samples under the stereomicroscope looking to identify those particular grains. In our study of biogenic sands, we will investigate a variety of marine organisms: gastropods and bivalves, barnacles, coralline algae, corals, echinoderms, foraminifera, bryozoans, sponge spicules and octocoral sclerites, and red and green algae. For lithic/rocky sands, we will examine heavy mineral sands and note the color variations of garnets and olivine. We'll examine a variety of quartz-rich samples and note their differences. We'll learn to identify feldspar grains. We'll examine sands with microfossils and relate those to the regional geology. We'll also examine anthropogenic grains found in sands: slag, cinders, concrete, brick, aluminum blobs, glass, plastic, and coal. Kate works closely with sand photographer Leo Kenney; together they publish the Splendid Sands Calendar and work on various sand projects. Leo's sand photographs will be used abundantly in this course. Students are welcome to bring samples of their own into the classroom and laboratory to examine.
There is no prerequisite for this course.
This three-day hands-on course taught by Kate Clover will offer participants the opportunity to use microscopes in the McCrone reserach Institute laboratories and classrooms to study sands from around the world and to learn to identify both biogenic and lithic grains. Sand compositions vary greatly, and each sample tells the story of the regional marine ecosystem and/or geology. The workshop will alternate between lecture presentations and hands-on microscope time. Participants will, for example, learn about the morphological characteristics of corals and sea urchins, then probe samples under the stereomicroscope looking to identify those particular grains. In our study of biogenic sands, we will investigate a variety of marine organisms: gastropods and bivalves, barnacles, coralline algae, corals, echinoderms, foraminifera, bryozoans, sponge spicules and octocoral sclerites, and red and green algae. For lithic/rocky sands, we will examine heavy mineral sands and note the color variations of garnets and olivine. We'll examine a variety of quartz-rich samples and note their differences. We'll learn to identify feldspar grains. We'll examine sands with microfossils and relate those to the regional geology. We'll also examine anthropogenic grains found in sands: slag, cinders, concrete, brick, aluminum blobs, glass, plastic, and coal. Kate works closely with sand photographer Leo Kenney; together they publish the Splendid Sands Calendar and work on various sand projects. Leo's sand photographs will be used abundantly in this course. Students are welcome to bring samples of their own into the classroom and laboratory to examine.
There is no prerequisite for this course.