Module Identifier EA21310  
Module Title INTRODUCTION TO GEOCHEMISTRY  
Academic Year 2000/2001  
Co-ordinator Dr Ron Fuge  
Semester Semester 1  
Other staff Dr Nick Pearce  
Course delivery Lecture   22 Hours 22 x 1 hour  
Assessment Exam   2 Hours Written exam. Resit: Same format.   100%  

Module Outline (Lecture Themes)
This module considers the origin of elements and their geochemical classification. Distribution of elements in the Earth. Isotope geochemistry. Geochemistry applied to the search for mineral deposits.

Topics Covered:
1. Introduction to the course. Definition of geochemistry. The various sub- disciplines of the subject.
2. Cosmic abundances of the elements - sources of data and tabulations. Consideration of these abundances and their relationships.
3. Origin of the elements in relation to 2.
4. Origin of the Earth and its bulk chemistry. The fractionation of the Earth into its constituent layers.
5. The chemistry of the Earth and its constituent parts in relation to its bulk chemistry of main rock types. Sources of information on chemistry of individual components of the Earth and the consequent limitations of data. Classification of the elements.
6. Isotope geochemistry. Radiometric methods of age dating. The usefulness and limitations of the differing methods as exemplified by the K/Ar, Ar/Ar, Rb/Sr, Sm/Nd and the various Pb methods. Use of radio-isotopes for petrogenetic studies. Stable isotopes and some of their uses in Earth Sciences.
7. Brief introduction to geochemistry and health and an introduction to usefulness of geochemical maps in applied geochemistry.

Module Aims
To introduce students to basic principles of geochemistry and to outline the usefulness of geochemical techniques in the search for mineral deposits.

Module objectives / Learning outcomes
To give a broad knowledge of general geochemistry and its importance in the study of various aspects of Geology and Environmental Earth Studies. To stress that geochemistry has a major applied component. To give a broad knowledge of the usefulness of geochemical techniques in environmental monitoring.