Undergraduate Course: Geochemistry (EASC09050)
Course Outline
| School | School of Geosciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 9 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
| Summary | This course provides an introduction to geochemistry, firstly through a short review of thermodynamics and kinetics as applied to Earth systems and then through consideration of the geochemical toolbox: the basic principles and techniques which underlie modern geochemistry. Material covered includes classification of the elements and their behaviour in earth systems/during earth processes, use of stable and radiogenic isotopes and the application of techniques to topics as diverse as dating formation of the solar system to constraining changes in the climate and ocean record. |
| Course description |
Week 1
Introduction to Geochemistry. (GDB)
Lecture Tuesday 14-15:00
Course introduction. Formation and composition of the Earth, reclassification of the elements. Introduction to isotope systematics and trace elements. Normalising geochemical data. Trace element partitioning during earth processes. Predictive models of partitioning behaviour.
Practical Tuesday 15-17:00
Exercise on trace element partitioning.
Week 2
Geochemical Toolbox Parts 1 and 2 (CH)
Lecture Tuesday 14-15:30
Introduction electromagnetic radiation and interaction with matter; EMP and XRF analysis.
Lecture Tuesday 15:30-17:00
Vibrational spectroscopy
Week 3
Geochemical Toolbox Part 3 (AT)
Lecture Tuesday 14-15:30
Mass Spectrometry
Introduction to class assessment (searching databases, choosing a paper, what is a press release?).
Advanced thermodynamics (GDB)
Lecture Tuesday 15:30-17:00
Refresher of basics thermodynamics and kinetics.
Consideration of ideal vs non-ideal systems. A Master equation for predicting equilibrium.
16:00 Friday Week 3
Deadline for students to submit chosen papers for approval (email to Alex or Geoff)
Week 4
Lecture Tuesday 14-15:00
Thermodynamics of complex fluids. Application of thermodynamics to Earth processes. Tie-in with trace element behaviour.
Practical Tuesday 15-17:00
Thermodynamics exercises; feedback on handed-in work given.
16:00 Friday Week 4
Deadline for on-line submission of student Press Releases.
Students placed into groups of 4 and assigned a different paper from the titles originally approved.
Week 5
Stable isotopes 1. (AT)
Lecture Tuesday 14-15:00
Introduction to stable isotopes and fractionation. Low T applications of stable isotopes.
Practical Tuesday 15-17:00
Low T stable isotopes practical.
INNOVATIVE LEARNING WEEK
Week 6
Lab session Tuesday 14-17:00
In class student assessment (AT and GDB): Group presentations of geochemistry-related papers. One student from each group selected to give 5 minute presentation using one PowerPoint slide, followed by five minutes of questions. Peer assessment by class (moderated by AT and GDB).
Week 7
Stable isotopes 2: (GDB)
Lecture Tuesday 14-15:00
High temperature applications of stable isotopes.
Practical Tuesday 15-17:00
Practical on stable isotopes (high T aplications).
Week 8
Radionuclides 1: (GDB)
Lecture Tuesday 14-15:00
Refresher of radioactive decay and the decay laws.
Introduction to geochronology and the isochron. Use of the Rb-Sr, Sm-Nd,
Lu-Hf and Re-Os systems and their applications.
Practical Tuesday 15-17:00
Plotting isochrones.
Week 9
Radionuclides 2: (GDB)
Lecture Tuesday 14-15:00
The U series and their use in radiometric dating.
Practical Tuesday 15-17:00
Concordia plots and U-series dating of zircon.
Week 10
Radionuclides 3: (AT)
Lecture Tuesday 14-15:00
Palaeoapplications of radiogenic isotopes.
Practical Tuesday 15-17:00
Class revision session (AT and GDB).
Week 11
No scheduled classes/revision for exam
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
Students MUST have passed:
Geomaterials (EASC08021)
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Understand the thermodynamic principals underlying modern geochemistry.
- Understand the theoretical background behind, and practical application of commonly used techniques in geoscience research.
- Begin to be able to critically assess the reliability of published geochemical data.
- 4. Understand how different geochemcial techniques can be applied to the study of earth processes, and be aware of the strengths and limitations of commonly used techniques.
- Develop confidence in presenting and critically analysing geochemical data
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Reading List
Geochemistry: an introduction (Albarède: CUP)
Geochemistry (White; Whiley-Blackwell)
Using geochemical data: evaluation, presentation, Interpretation (Rollinson: Longman)
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Special Arrangements |
None |
| Keywords | Chem Geol |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Geoffrey Bromiley
Tel: (0131 6)50 8519
Email: Jenni.Brown@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Ms Casey Hollway
Tel: (0131 6)50 8510
Email: |
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