Overview

This work is based on the observation that further major advances in geochemistry, particularly in understanding the rules that govern the ways in which elements come together to form minerals and rocks, will require the application of the theories of quantum mechanics. The book therefore outlines this theoretical background and discusses the models used to describe bonding in geochemical systems. It is the first book to describe and critically review the application of quantum mechanical theories to minerals and geochemical systems. The book consolidates valuable findings from chemistry and materials science as well as mineralogy and geochemistry, and the presentation has relevance to professionals in a wide range of disciplines. Experimental techniques are surveyed, but the emphasis is on applying theoretical tools to various groups of minerals: the oxides, silicates, carbonates, borates, and sulfides. Other topics dealt with in depth include structure, stereochemistry, bond strengths and stabilities of minerals, various physical properties, and the overall geochemical distribution of the elements.

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9780195044034

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Reviews

'This volume, written by two of the leaders in the field, presents an authoritative, detailed and comprehensive review of the application of quantum mechanical calculations to the understanding of the physical and chemical properties of Earth materials. Quantum mechanical calculations of the properties of solids can, in principle, be exact but limitations in computational power force various approximations to be made. It is one of the outstanding features of the text throughout this volume that these approximations are carefully and explicitly stated, and that the limitations and shortcomings of the results so obtained are critically examined. I would ... strongly recommend this book to anyone who has the need to assess the results of such calculations. It should also be an essential reference work for those who perform such calculations.' R.J. Angel, Geological Magazine, Volume 130, Part 6, 1993 'This text by Tossell and Vaughan is outstanding and timely. This book provides the first major introduction and review of such advanced geochemical methods and shows how they can be applied to mineralogy. For anybody interested in the way in which geochemistry will evolve in the 21st century, this book is essential reading. The authors are to be congratulated in producing a first-class contribution to literature.' R.J. Price, Mineralogical Society, September 1993

The book is very instructive with a large number of tables and figures to illustrate the various topics. The appendices are very useful as is a very comprehensive reference list. Theoretical Geochemistry illustrates well what can and cannot be accomplished through computational methods. --Geochemica et Cosmochemica Acta<br> The first to attempt a broad survey of the 'quantum earth.' . . . the authors did a rather thorough job of reporting: over 1100 references are included in the bibliography. The presentation is detailed and relies almost entirely on examples from published papers. . . . very useful. . . . invaluable as a guide to the literature for graduate seminar courses. Those of us who are interested in the earth owe the authors a debt of gratitude for the great effort it took to review so much of the present literature. . . . well produced; it has few typos, the text is easy to read and the binding seems solid. --Pure and Applied Geophysics<br> This text by Tossell and Vaughan is outstanding and timely. This book provides the first major introduction and review of such advanced geochemical methods and shows how they can be applied to mineralogy. For anybody interested in the way in which geochemistry will evolve in the 21st century, this book is essential reading. The authors are to be congratulated in producing a first-class contribution to literature. --R.J. Price, Mineralogical Magazine<br> This is a welcome contribution that presents a comprehensive account of the research of the authors and of others concerning the quantum theory of electronic energy levels in geologically interesting materials and of the related experimental spectroscopy....Chapters 4,5, and6...are excellent presentations....A most welcome account of the advance of knowledge in this special interdisciplinary field. --Geochimica and Cosmochimica Acta<br>

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