NIGB14017U Basic Geochemistry

Volume 2014/2015
Content

The course teaches high temperature geochemistry and contains a thorough introduction to aqueous inorganic geochemistry, hence covering a width of geological time scales and environments. Specific contents are the principles and application of high temperature geochemistry, including stable and radiogenic isotopes, to explain the mechanisms regulating the workings – past and present – of the major geochemical systems such as the Earth’s mantle, its core and its crust, with implications on the evolution of seawater, and the use of geologically relevant decay systems for geochronological purposes. Contents within the aqueous geochemistry are the law of mass action and its application to calculate aqueous speciation and mineral saturation states, the formulation of chemical equations for processes encountered in the terrestrial hydrological cycle, such as mineral dissolution and precipitation, ion exchange, surface adsorption and redox processes, and the use of stable and radiogenic isotopes and of major ion chemistry as tracers for groundwater flow and rock-water interactions along flow paths.

Learning Outcome

Knowledge:

  • Trace element and isotope geochemistry, formation of the earth and solar system, modern geochemical tracer systems, radioactive tracers in geochemistry.

Skills:

  • Apply basic geochemical relationships and modern tracer systems to important processes governing the mechanisms in the “deep” Earth and at the surface of the Earth.
  • Use trace elements and their isotopes as potential tracers, and radiogenic tracers for geochronological purposes and groundwater dating.
  • Apply modern methods  commonly used in geochemical research of the Earth systems (Core formation, mantle differentiation, crust formation, change in atmosphere and hydrosphere with impact on paleoclimatic changes)

Competences:

  • Apply trace and isotope geochemistry to processes dealing with the formation of the Earth and the solar System, to core formation and mantle differentiation, to crust formation and changes in the atmosphere and hydrosphere
  • Use elements and their isotopes as potential tracers, and radiogenic tracers for geochronological purposes
  • Account for the up-to-date, modern methods commonly applied in geochemical research of the Earth systems.

Please see Absalon course page.

Corresponding to the compulsory courses of the 1st year of the BSc Geology-Geoscience programme.
The form of teaching is theory exercises combined with ad hoc lectures. For the teaching plan, please see Absalon.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Exercises
  • 56
  • Preparation
  • 150
  • Total
  • 206
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Continuous assessment
The grading is based on two 2-hours tests each weighing 50 %.
Aid
Without aids
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Several internal examiners.
Re-exam
One 2-hours written examination.
Criteria for exam assesment

Please see learning outcome.