Advances in Physical Geochemistry


Book Description

The second volume of this series consists of three parts. Part I focuses on the research on intracrystalline reactions. This work, which began nearly two decades ago, is critically reviewed by Ghose and Ganguly in Chapter 1. Besides the review, the authors include some of their previously unpublished work to demonstrate how future research could aid in obtaining data on thermodynamics of solid solutions and in understanding the cooling history of igneous and metamorphic rocks. The latter is also the theme adopted by Kretz in the second chapter, which examines the redistribution of Fe and Mg in coexisting silicates during cooling. Chapter 3 contains new data on Fe-Mg distribution in clinopyroxenes. Dal Negro and his co-authors have selected a series of clinopyroxenes from volcanic rocks and present site occupancy data on several clinopyroxenes of intermediate compositions. The data set has not been published before and is the first of its kind. Part II of this book begins with a chapter on melts by Gaskell, who explores the relationship between density and structure of silicate melts. This is followed by the synthesis of data generated in the U.S.S.R. by Shmulovich and his co-authors on fluids. Blencoe, Merkel and Seil present a thorough analysis of the phase equilibrium data on feldspars coexisting with fluids in the third chapter in this part.




Applied Geochemistry


Book Description

Applied Geochemistry: Advances in Mineral Exploration Techniques is a book targeting all levels of exploration geologists, geology students and geoscientists working in the mining industry. This reference book covers mineral exploration techniques from multiple dimensions, including the application of statistics - both principal component analysis and factor analysis - to multifractal modeling. The book explains these approaches step-by-step and gives their limitations. In addition to techniques and applications in mineral exploration, Applied Geochemistry describes mineral deposits and the theories underpinning their formation through worldwide case studies.







Physical Chemistry of Magmas


Book Description

Physical Chemistry of Magmas investigates the properties, structure, and phase relationships of silicate melts with invited contributions from an international team of experts. Data and some rules for estimating the properties and structures of melts, as well as the implications of the physical chemistry of silicate liquids to igneous petrology are presented. The second section then focuses on phase relationships, with particular attention on the application of experimental and theoretical petrology to modeling the origin of certain magmas.







Geochemistry at the Earth’s Surface


Book Description

Geochemistry at the surface of the earth is dominated by two somewhat antagonistic forces: chemical reactions which attempt to attain a steady state (equilibrium) and geological movement of materials in time and space which changes the parameters that control chemical equilibrium. Another aspect that is extremely important to earth surface geochemistry is the effect of plants on the chemical and physical stability of materials (soils). Plant systems in fact work against the normal chemical changes (loss of silica, potassium, etc.) and the normal physical changes (stabilizing fine grained materials (clays) in the surface zones to avoid erosion). Biological effects are clearly seen in redox effects in the various parts of the earth surface movement cycle; soil formation, stream transport, sedimentation. This book attempts to outline these different parameters and their interactions as they affect earth surface geochemistry in order to give a better understanding of movement and accumulation of elements at the surface of the earth.




Fluid—Rock Interactions during Metamorphism


Book Description

The fifth volume in this series is focused on the chemical and physical interactions between rocks undergoing metamorphism and the fluids that they generate and that pass through them. The recognition that such pro cesses can profoundly affect the course of metamorphism has resulted in a number of recent papers and we consider that it is time for a review by some of the interested parties. We hope our selection of contributors provides an adequate cross section and demonstrates some of the flavor of this rapidly developing field. A cursory examination of the volume will reveal that there are widely divergent opinions on the compositions of metamorphic fluids and on the ways in which they interact physically and chemically with the rocks through which they pass. Since our own views are extensively discussed in Chapters 4 and 8, we leave the reader to determine his own brand of the "truth. " We wish to thank D. Bird, S. Bohlen, D. Carmichael, G. Flowers, C. Foster, C. Graham, E. Perry, J. Selverstone, R. Tracy, J. Valley, and R. Wollast for their chapter reviews. Thanks are also due C. Cheverton for her editorial assistance, and the helpful staff at Springer-Verlag New York.




Thermodynamic Data


Book Description

With the rapid development of fast processors, the power of a mini-super computer now exists in a lap-top box. Quite sophisticated techniques are be coming accessible to geoscientists, thus making disciplinary boundaries fade. Chemists and physicists are no longer shying away from computational mineral ogical and material science problems "too complicated to handle." Geoscientists are willing to delve into quantitative physico-chemical methods and open those "black boxes" they had shunned for several decades but with which had learned to live. I am proud to present yet another volume in this series which is designed to break the disciplinary boundaries and bring the geoscientists closer to their chemist and physicist colleagues in achieving a common goal. This volume is the result of an international collaboration among many physical geochemists (chemists, physicists, and geologists) aiming to understand the nature of material. The book has one common theme: namely, how to determine quantitatively through theory the physico-chemical parameters of the state of a solid or fluid.




Magma Redox Geochemistry


Book Description

Explores the many facets of redox exchanges that drive magma's behavior and evolution, from the origin of the Earth until today The redox state is one of the master variables behind the Earth's forming processes, which at depth concern magma as the major transport agent. Understanding redox exchanges in magmas is pivotal for reconstructing the history and compositional make-up of our planet, for exploring its mineral resources, and for monitoring and forecasting volcanic activity. Magma Redox Geochemistry describes the multiple facets of redox reactions in the magmatic realm and presents experimental results, theoretical approaches, and unconventional and novel techniques. Volume highlights include: Redox state and oxygen fugacity: so close, so far Redox processes from Earth’s accretion to global geodynamics Redox evolution from the magma source to volcanic emissions Redox characterization of elements and their isotopes The American Geophysical Union promotes discovery in Earth and space science for the benefit of humanity. Its publications disseminate scientific knowledge and provide resources for researchers, students, and professionals.




Geochemical Kinetics


Book Description

This book offers a comprehensive exploration of geochemical kinetics--the application of chemical kinetics to geological problems, both theoretical and practical. Geochemical Kinetics balances the basic theories of chemical kinetics with a thorough examination of advanced theories developed by geochemists, such as nonisothermal kinetics and inverse theories, including geochronology (isotopic dating), thermochronology (temperature-time history), and geospeedometry (cooling rates). The first chapter provides an introduction and overview of the whole field at an elementary level, and the subsequent chapters develop theories and applications for homogeneous reactions, mass and heat transfer, heterogeneous reactions, and inverse problems. Most of the book's examples are from high-temperature geochemistry, with a few from astronomy and environmental sciences. Appendixes, homework problems for each major section, and a lengthy reference list are also provided. Readers should have knowledge of basic differential equations, some linear algebra, and thermodynamics at the level of an undergraduate physical chemistry course. Geochemical Kinetics is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the mathematical treatment of geochemical questions.