Geokemian

Geokemian is a term used in some geoscience contexts to denote the study of chemical processes in geological systems. It encompasses the distribution and behavior of elements in rocks, minerals, soils, waters, and gases, as well as the mechanisms that control their mobility, alteration, and concentration. Geokemian sits at the intersection of geology and chemistry and overlaps with geochemistry, mineralogy, petrology, and environmental geoscience. It emphasizes how chemical reactions—weathering, hydrothermal alteration, metamorphism, ore formation—modify the composition of Earth materials over time.

Methods and approaches include laboratory analyses (inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry ICP-MS, atomic emission spectroscopy XRF, SEM-EDS, LA-ICP-MS), isotopic ratio measurements, and mineralogical characterization. Field techniques involve geochemical mapping, sampling of rocks, soils, groundwater, and produced fluids, as well as in situ measurements. Data interpretation relies on geochemical modelling, thermodynamics, and mass balance calculations, often in conjunction with mineralogical and petrographic information.

Applications span mineral exploration, environmental and hydrological studies, weathering and soil formation, nutrient cycling, and monitoring of pollution and remediation. The term is sometimes used as a regional variant or as a synonym for geochemistry in non-English contexts, such as Slavic-language literatures, where geokemian may appear as geokimiya or geokemiya.

See also: geochemistry, isotope geochemistry, hydrogeochemistry, planetary geochemistry.