Geochemistry (Geo403)
Geol 455 Syllabus
Syllabus
Instructor: Professor Sobhi Nasir
topics to be covered:
Geochemical classification of the elements;element abundances in the lithosphere
and hydrosphere Chemical equilibria; acids and bases, Solubility of solids; activities;
carbonate equilibria; K-feldspar-kaolinite reactions, Thermodynamics, mineral
stability diagrams; clay minerals, Oxidation-reduction reactions and Eh-pH diagrams,
Isotope fractionation,Applications of geochemistry; consequences of weathering;
composition of surface waters; geochemical modeling; selected areas of interest
Schedule
Part I. The Geochemical Toolbox
Week 1: Fundamentals of Thermodynamics
Week 2: Thermodynamics of Solutions
Week 3: Equilibrium Constant, Oxidation and Reduction, Solid
Solutions
Week 4: Phase Diagrams, Geothermometry, Reaction Kinetics
Week 5: Diffusion, Surface Reactions, Diagenesis
Week 6: Aquatic Chemistry: Acid-Base
Reactions, Complexation
Week 7: Aquatic Chemistry: Precipitation and Dissolution,
Adsorption
Week 8: Trace Element Geochemistry
Week 9: Radiogenic Isotope Geochemistry
Week 10: Stable Isotope Geochemistry
Part II. Understanding the Earth
Week 11: Chemical Clues to Genesis: Formation of the Elements,
and the Solar System
Week 12: Formation of the Earth, Composition of the Earth
and its Mantle
Week 13: Evolution of The Continental Crust
Week 14: Weathering, Soils, Stream and Ocean Chemistry
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Email: sobhi@cheerful.com