Introduction to Geochemistry

3 units

This is an undergraduate-level introduction to geochemistry intended for EEPS majors and non-majors interested in understanding how the discipline of chemistry is applied in the Earth, environmental, and planetary sciences. The course is structured to emphasize how elements and compounds are sorted and transferred between a planet's core, mantle, crust and surface reservoirs. A broad range of topics are covered to prepare students for in-depth study in subsequent classes: the origin of the elements, radioactive decay, chemical bonding, an overview of rock-forming minerals, the composition of the solid Earth, mantle melting and trace element partitioning, properties of solutions, reduction-oxidation reactions, water-rock reactions, the composition of river and ocean waters, the composition of the atmosphere, low-temperature geochemical cycles, subduction zone chemical cycling, and basics of stable and radiogenic isotope geochemistry. Prerequisites: EEPS 202 and Chem 105