Geol 2602

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Geol 2602
Principles of Geochemistry

• ? Text ?
• Geochemistry
• ? Arthur H. Brownlow

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Instructor

• Nicholas J. Susak
• Room 322 Forestry Geology
• nsusak_at_unb.ca
• 447-3197

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Exams and Grading

• Problems 15 throughout
• Laboratory 30
• Participation 5
• Mid-term 10 February 18
• Final 40 exam period

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What is Geochemistry?

• The science that studies the chemical composition
  and the chemical evolution of the Earth as a
  whole, and its component parts.
• It is concerned with the distribution and
  migration of elements within the Earth in both
  space and time.

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Tasks of Geochemistry

• ANALYTICAL
• Determination of the relative and absolute
  abundances of the elements and isotopes in the
  Earth and other planets and in their component
  parts

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Tasks of Geochemistry

• DYNAMIC - KINETIC
• Study the distribution in space and time of the
  elements and the migration of the elements in
  various parts of the Earth, minerals and rocks

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Tasks of Geochemistry

• PHYSICAL
• Discover the principles the govern the
  distribution and migration of the elements and
  isotopes

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Earth as a Chemical System

• What changes are possible?
• How do these changes occur?
• Why do these changes occur?
• What phenomena attend these changes?

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Igneous Chemical System
Source Composition tectonic setting mixing partial
melting
Post-Solidus Processes outgassing hydrothermal
alteration weathering metamorphism
Magma Chamber Processes fractional
crystallization magma mixing assimilation liquid
immiscibility
Rock as sampled
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Sedimentary Chemical System
Provenance Composition
Rock as sampled
Diagenesis
Weathering
Deposition
Chemical
Physical
Transport
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Metamorphic Chemical System
Protolith
Fluid processes
Solid Diffusion
Isochemical change
Partial Melting
Rock as sampled
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Sub-disciplines

• Extraterrestrial Geochemistry
• Solid Earth Geochemistry
• Low Temperature Geochemistry
• Organic Geochemistry