Overview

Geochemistry uses the methods and philosophies of chemistry to explore and understand the Earth from the most elementary levels. The field has moved on from a prehistoric interest in metals, chert and clay, to become a modern science, utilizing sophisticated techniques to understand the Earth's processes and evolution. By looking deeply into the Earth's constituents, scientists are able to verify theories on its formation and, by corollary, on the formation of other planets in the universe. Because geochemistry involves intensive, detailed examinations of pieces of the planet, the subject touches upon many aspects of other scientific explorations, such as predicting earth tremors and volcanoes, the origin of life, environmental contamination and waste management, and finding mineral and organic ores. Over 200 international scientists, each experts in their specialties, have written over 340 separate topics on different aspects of geochemistry including organics, trace elements, isotopes, high and low temperature geochemistry and ore deposits, to name just a few. The instruments used to refine geochemical techniques are each described, and the chemical elements have their own separate entries which include common mineralogical, petrological and sedimentological depictions. Each topic incorporates cross-referencing to related articles, and also has its own reference list to lead the reader to articles within the published literature. The entries are arranged alphabetically, for easy access.

Full Product Details

9780412755002

Table of Contents

Reviews

'[a] complete and authoritative geochemistry desk reference.' Environmental Science and Technology, 34:1 (2000) 'This Encyclopedia of Geochemistry has been painstakingly put together over a number of years, and the care and attention to detail has been very worthwhile. Here is a volume that exceptionally compiles basic information, and the details of commonly used techniques, with essays of introduction to different subject areas. Every Library should certainly have a copy, as it will be widely used by students, researchers and teachers alike. ... For all sorts of reasons, more and more people need to understand how the Earth works and this volume is a considerable resourse for those working towards that goal.' Chris J Hawkesworth, Dept. of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, UK in Journal of Petrology, 41:12 'The Encyclopedia of Geochemistry is a keystone reference source, appreciated not only by all those involved in the various fields of geochemistry, but also by experts and students alike in neighbouring fields of geoscience.' Jorg Matschullat, in Environmental Geology, 39:5 (2000)

'[a] complete and authoritative geochemistry desk reference.' Environmental Science and Technology, 34:1 (2000) 'This Encyclopedia of Geochemistry has been painstakingly put together over a number of years, and the care and attention to detail has been very worthwhile. Here is a volume that exceptionally compiles basic information, and the details of commonly used techniques, with essays of introduction to different subject areas. Every Library should certainly have a copy, as it will be widely used by students, researchers and teachers alike. ... For all sorts of reasons, more and more people need to understand how the Earth works and this volume is a considerable resourse for those working towards that goal.' Chris J Hawkesworth, Dept. of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, UK in Journal of Petrology, 41:12 'The Encyclopedia of Geochemistry is a keystone reference source, appreciated not only by all those involved in the various fields of geochemistry, but also by experts and students alike in neighbouring fields of geoscience.' Jorg Matschullat, in Environmental Geology, 39:5 (2000)

"`[a] complete and authoritative geochemistry desk reference.' Environmental Science and Technology, 34:1 (2000) `This Encyclopedia of Geochemistry has been painstakingly put together over a number of years, and the care and attention to detail has been very worthwhile. Here is a volume that exceptionally compiles basic information, and the details of commonly used techniques, with essays of introduction to different subject areas. Every Library should certainly have a copy, as it will be widely used by students, researchers and teachers alike. ... For all sorts of reasons, more and more people need to understand how the Earth works and this volume is a considerable resourse for those working towards that goal.' Chris J Hawkesworth, Dept. of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, UK in Journal of Petrology, 41:12 `The Encyclopedia of Geochemistry is a ""keystone"" reference source, appreciated not only by all those involved in the various fields of geochemistry, but also by experts and students alike in neighbouring fields of geoscience.' Jorg Matschullat, in Environmental Geology, 39:5 (2000)"

[a] complete and authoritative geochemistry desk reference.' Environmental Science and Technology, 34: 1 (2000) This Encyclopedia of Geochemistry has been painstakingly put together over a number of years, and the care and attention to detail has been very worthwhile. Here is a volume that exceptionally compiles basic information, and the details of commonly used techniques, with essays of introduction to different subject areas. Every Library should certainly have a copy, as it will be widely used by students, researchers and teachers alike. ... For all sorts of reasons, more and more people need to understand how the Earth works and this volume is a considerable resourse for those working towards that goal.' Chris J Hawkesworth, Dept. of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, UK in Journal of Petrology, 41: 12 The Encyclopedia of Geochemistry is a keystone reference source, appreciated not only by all those involved in the various fields of geochemistry, but also by experts and students alike in neighbouring fields of geoscience.' Jorg Matschullat, in Environmental Geology, 39: 5 (2000)

Author Information

Professor Rhodes W. Fairbridge is emeritus Professor of Geology at Columbia University and is now visiting scientist at the Goddard Institute of Space Studies (NASA, NY). He has edited more that two dozen encyclopedias and authored more than three-hundred scientific publications.

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