geochemical

Geochemical refers to the science of geochemistry, focusing on the chemical composition of the Earth and other planetary bodies and the processes that control the distribution of elements and isotopes in natural systems. It encompasses the study of rocks, minerals, soils, waters, and the atmosphere, and it seeks to understand how chemical elements migrate, transform, and become stored through geological time.

Analytical techniques include mass spectrometry (including ICP-MS and TIMS for trace elements and isotopes), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), and chromatographic methods for organics. Sampling and sample preparation are critical, with attention to contamination, mineralogical context, and calibration against reference materials.

Geochemical research supports exploration for mineral resources, evaluation of groundwater quality, and assessment of environmental contamination. It informs climate and environmental studies through isotopic tracers (e.g., carbon, oxygen, strontium isotopes) and trace-element records. It also extends to planetary science, where geochemical analyses characterize meteorites, lunar and martian samples, and early solar system processes.

Geochemical modeling and theoretical approaches, such as geochemical thermodynamics and reaction-transport modeling, are used to interpret data and predict element behavior under changing conditions.