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Geochemistry

Geochemistry is the science that studies the chemical composition of the Earth and its materials, and the chemical processes that govern the distribution and transformation of elements and isotopes. It investigates rocks, minerals, soils, water, air, and biological materials to understand how elements are sourced, mobilized, and fractionated through geological time and across environments.

Geochemists examine elemental abundances, isotopic ratios, and chemical reactions to reconstruct past conditions and to model

Analytical methods include mass spectrometry (ICP-MS, TIMS, SIMS), stable and radiogenic isotope analysis, X-ray fluorescence and

Geochemistry is interdisciplinary, linking geology, oceanography, atmospheric science, environmental science, and planetary science. Applications range from

current
cycles.
Major
topics
include
the
behavior
of
elements
in
the
crust
and
mantle,
the
oceans
and
atmosphere,
weathering
and
diagenesis,
magmatic
differentiation,
metamorphism,
and
sediment
transport.
Isotopes
provide
clocks
and
fingerprints
that
help
date
events
and
trace
sources.
diffraction,
chromatography,
and
laser
ablation
techniques.
These
tools
enable
quantitative
inventories
of
elements,
partitioning
studies,
and
mass-balance
calculations
used
in
models
of
geochemical
cycles.
mineral
and
energy
resource
exploration
and
groundwater
assessment
to
pollution
tracing,
soil
science,
climate
reconstruction,
and
understanding
planetary
differentiation
and
the
evolution
of
other
bodies
in
the
solar
system.
The
field
traces
its
modern
foundations
to
the
work
of
Victor
Moritz
Goldschmidt
in
the
early
20th
century.