GeoE 418 - Geochemistry

Geochemistry

Study of the chemical composition of Earth and processes controlling element distribution

chemical composition of Earth materials

Primary focus of geochemistry involving rocks, minerals, soils, and waters

distribution of chemical elements

Study of how elements are arranged within Earth systems

chemical processes

Reactions controlling behavior of rocks, minerals, soils, and water

Chemistry

Scientific discipline contributing to geochemistry through reactions and composition analysis

Geology

Field contributing knowledge about Earth materials and structures in geochemistry

Physics

Discipline contributing thermodynamics and physical processes to geochemistry

Environmental science

Field contributing understanding of environmental interactions in geochemistry

interdisciplinary science

Nature of geochemistry combining multiple scientific disciplines

core to crust

Range of Earth layers studied in geochemistry

soil and rock evaluation

Engineering application of geochemistry for structural suitability

chemical behavior of materials

Engineering focus when materials are disturbed by construction or projects

rock identification

Application of geochemical data for determining rock type and evolution

environmental hazard assessment

Use of geochemistry to address impacts from human activities

resource exploration

Application involving locating mineral and geothermal deposits

mining geochemistry

Use of chemical analysis to identify mineral deposits

mineral formation

Geochemistry explains why minerals form in specific locations

rock evolution

Geochemistry helps understand changes in rocks over time

groundwater chemistry evolution

Study of how water chemistry changes through reactions

engineering material degradation

Chemical processes causing breakdown of construction materials

contaminant transport

Movement of pollutants controlled by geochemical processes

minerals

Earth materials analyzed in geochemistry studies

rocks

Solid aggregates analyzed chemically in geochemistry

soils

Weathered materials studied under geochemical processes

natural waters

Water bodies studied in aqueous geochemistry

weathering

Geochemical process involving breakdown of rocks at surface conditions

dissolution

Process where minerals dissolve into solution

precipitation

Process where dissolved materials form solid minerals

oxidation

Loss of electrons during geochemical reactions

reduction

Gain of electrons during geochemical reactions

element transport

Movement of chemical elements through Earth systems

atomic to global

Spatial scale range of geochemical processes

geological time

Time scale over which geochemical reactions occur

Cosmochemistry

Branch studying extraterrestrial materials and origin of elements

meteorites

Objects analyzed in cosmochemistry to understand solar system composition

planets

Extraterrestrial bodies studied chemically in cosmochemistry

Petrologic geochemistry

Branch focusing on chemical composition of rocks

igneous rocks

Rock type studied in petrologic geochemistry

sedimentary rocks

Rock type analyzed chemically in petrologic studies

metamorphic rocks

Rock type examined for chemical changes under pressure and heat

major elements

Elements with high abundance in rocks such as Si, Al, Fe, Mg

trace elements

Elements present in small quantities used for geochemical interpretation

magma evolution

Process studied through chemical variations in rocks

rock alteration

Chemical modification of rocks through geochemical reactions

Aqueous geochemistry

Branch studying chemistry of groundwater and surface water

groundwater

Subsurface water analyzed in aqueous geochemistry

surface water

Rivers and lakes studied for chemical composition

pH

Measure of acidity or alkalinity in aqueous systems

dissolved ions

Charged particles present in water affecting chemistry

redox conditions

Oxidation-reduction environment influencing chemical reactions

water-rock interaction

Chemical reactions between water and surrounding rocks

groundwater quality

Important application of aqueous geochemistry

corrosion

Chemical degradation of materials influenced by water chemistry

scaling

Mineral deposition from water causing buildup in systems

contaminant movement

Migration of pollutants controlled by water chemistry

Environmental geochemistry

Branch dealing with behavior of contaminants in soil and water

contaminants

Substances that cause pollution or environmental harm

natural pollutants

Contaminants originating from natural processes

anthropogenic pollutants

Contaminants produced by human activities

toxicity and mobility of elements

Environmental geochemistry application studying harmful effects and movement of elements

pollution assessment

Evaluation of environmental contamination levels

environmental remediation

Process of cleaning or restoring contaminated environments

waste disposal and management

Handling and treatment of waste to minimize environmental impact

Applied geochemistry

Branch focusing on practical engineering and industrial geochemical problems

engineering materials degradation

Chemical breakdown or weakening of construction materials

foundation and slope stability

Engineering application involving geochemical effects on soil and rock strength

mining and resource evaluation

Application involving identification and assessment of mineral resources

energy systems

Applied geochemistry field related to geothermal and energy resource analysis

environmental risk assessment

Evaluation of potential hazards caused by geochemical processes

rock strength and durability

Engineering property affected by geochemical processes

soil stability

Geochemical influence on soil behavior and structural safety

construction material performance

Effect of chemical reactions on engineering materials

groundwater quality

Chemical condition of subsurface water affecting usability

long-term safety of engineering structures

Engineering consideration influenced by geochemistry

concrete durability analysis

Practical skill in geochemistry for evaluating construction materials

pollutant-soil interaction

Chemical interaction between contaminants and soil materials

open system

Earth system where matter and energy continuously exchange between spheres

atmosphere

Earth sphere consisting of gases surrounding the planet

biosphere

Earth sphere containing living organisms

lithosphere

Rigid outer layer of Earth including crust and upper mantle

hydrosphere

Earth sphere consisting of water bodies

geochemical cycles

Movement and transformation of chemical elements through Earth systems

element availability

Control of whether elements are accessible or locked in minerals

element concentration

Regulation of where elements accumulate in significant amounts

environmental impact

Effect determining whether elements become hazardous or harmless

element mobility

Ease with which an element moves from one location to another

element reactivity

Tendency of an element to participate in chemical reactions

pH

Factor controlling acidity or alkalinity affecting solubility and mobility of elements

acidic conditions

Environment that increases solubility of metals like iron and aluminum

redox condition

Oxidation-reduction environment influencing chemical reactions and mobility

oxidizing environment

Condition promoting oxide formation and immobilizing metals

reducing environment

Condition increasing dissolution and mobility of certain elements

temperature

Factor affecting reaction rate and mineral dissolution speed

higher temperature

Condition that accelerates chemical reactions and alteration

presence of fluids

Factor enabling transport of dissolved ions and reactions

water

Primary fluid facilitating element mobility and chemical reactions

dry conditions

Environment reducing element movement and reaction rates

laterites

Oxidation products formed in oxidizing conditions

hydroxides

Compounds formed through oxidation processes affecting mobility

geochemical interaction

Process involving movement and transformation of elements between Earth systems