Geochemistry: An IntroductionIntroducing the essentials of modern geochemistry for students across the Earth and environmental sciences, this new edition emphasises the general principles of this central discipline. Focusing on inorganic chemistry, Francis Albarède's refreshing approach is brought to topics that range from measuring geological time to the understanding of climate change. The author leads the student through the necessary mathematics to understand the quantitative aspects of the subject in an easily understandable manner. The early chapters cover the principles and methods of physics and chemistry that underlie geochemistry, to build the students' understanding of concepts such as isotopes, fractionation, and mixing. These are then applied across many of the environments on Earth, including the solid Earth, rivers, and climate, and then extended to processes on other planets. Three new chapters have been added – on stable isotopes, biogeochemistry, and environmental geochemistry. End-of-chapter student exercises, with solutions available online, are also included. |
Contents
The properties of elements | |
Mass conservation and elemental fractionation | |
Fractionation of stable isotopes | |
Geochronology and radiogenic tracers | |
Element transport | |
Geochemical systems | |
Environments | |
Mineral reactions | |
The solid Earth | |
The Earth in the Solar System | |
The element barn | |
Appendix B The mixing equation for ratios | |
The geological time scale | |
Appendix F Physical and geophysical constants | |
Common terms and phrases
abundant acid alkalinity atmosphere atoms basalts calcite calculate carbon chemical chondrites clinopyroxene closure temperature components concentration constant continental crust convection core crystallization decay depleted diagenesis differentiation diffusion dissolved Earth electron energy equation equilibrium erosion Fe2+ Fe3+ feldspar Figure fluids flux gases geochemical geochemistry geological granite hydrogen hydrothermal incompatible elements ions iron isochron isotope compositions isotopic fractionation isotopic ratios liquid lithosphere magma mass material measured melting metamorphic meteorites midocean ridges minerals molecules MORB neutrons nucleus nuclides oceanic crust olivine orbitals organic oxidized oxygen oxygen isotopes particles partition coefficient phase plagioclase planet planetary plot precipitation pressure processes produced proportion protons pyroxene quartz radioactive radiogenic radius rareearth reaction redox reservoir residence rocks sample seawater sedimentary sediments siderophile silicates solar nebula Solar System solid solubility solution species stable isotope subduction sulfate sulfide sulfur surface terrestrial thermal upper mantle values vapor zircons