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Geochemistry I
Geochemie I
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:36:16
Abstract
Introduction to geochemistry and its application to the study of the origin and evolution of the Earth and planets.
Objective
Gain an overview of geochemical methods used in various fields of Earth Sciences and how they can be applied to study geological processes in the Earth’s mantle, crust, oceans and atmosphere.
Content
This course is an introduction into geochemistry with a special focus on the basic concepts used in this rapidly evolving field. The course deals with the geochemist's toolbox: the basic chemical and nuclear properties of elements from the periodic table and how these elements can be used to ask fundamental questions in Earth Sciences. The important concepts used in solid-solution-gas equilibria are introduced. The concepts of chemical reservoirs and geochemical cycles are discussed with examples from the carbon cycle in the Earth. The course also addresses geological applications in low- and high-temperature geochemistry, including the formation of continents, the differentiation of the Earth, the geochemistry of ocean and continental waters.
Resources
Lecture Notes
The slides are available online.
Literature
H. Y. McSween et al.: Geochemistry - Pathways and Processes, 2nd ed. Columbia Univ. Press (2003) William White: Geochemistry, Wiley-Blackwell Chichester (2013)
General Information
- Language
- German
- Levels
- BSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- session examination
- Mode
- written 60 minutes
- Aids
- Einfacher, nicht-kommunikationsfähiger Taschenrechner ohne Textspeicher
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture with exercise |
Geochemie I
Die Lehrveranstaltung ist zweisprachig. Teil M. Schönbächler Deutsch, Teil D. Vance Englisch.
|
|
3 h weekly |