Geokeemias

Geokeemias is a term used to describe the study of chemical processes occurring within geological environments and the interactions among minerals, fluids, and organisms that drive element cycling. It is often presented as a contemporary or niche extension of geochemistry, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches and the dynamic exchange of elements across lithologic, hydrological, and biological interfaces.

Core topics within geokeemias include mineral dissolution and precipitation, secondary mineral formation, redox reactions, weathering processes, and the mobility of trace elements. The field also addresses isotope fractionation, fluid-rock interactions, and the chemical evolution of soils, groundwater, and crustal systems. Geokeemias seeks to understand how geologic materials evolve chemically over time and how these processes influence resource availability, environmental quality, and planetary geochemical cycles.

Methods commonly employed in geokeemias span field observations, laboratory experiments, and modeling. Analytical tools often used include inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning or transmission electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS, TEM-EDS), and isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS). Computational reactive transport and thermodynamic modeling also play important roles in interpreting observations and predicting system behavior.

Applications of geokeemias encompass mineral exploration and ore genesis, groundwater and soil contamination assessment, environmental remediation, and the study of planetary crustal processes through analog studies. While closely related to geochemistry, geokeemias emphasizes cross-disciplinary integration and process-based understanding of chemical change in geological settings. See also geochemistry, hydrogeology, and planetary geochemistry.