Principles of Geochemistry

EART26201 Principles of Geochemistry 10 Semester 1 Undergraduate Level 5 Greg Holland Unit coordinator 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Middle part of Bachelors ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 5.0 <div>The unit introduces the concepts of thermodynamics and reaction kinetics that govern geochemical processes at Earth’s surface and in its deep interior. It develops the principles of mineral-mineral and mineral-fluid reactions and the controls upon these (T, pH, Eh, saturation) that are applicable to magmatic, metamorphic, hydrothermal, geothermal and aqueous geochemical problems. Fundamentals of stable and radiogenic isotope geochemistry are applied to a range of Earth science problems from age dating to paleoclimate and mantle heterogeneity.</div> <div>The unit introduces the concepts of thermodynamics and reaction kinetics that govern geochemical processes at Earth’s surface and in its deep interior. It develops the principles of mineral-mineral and mineral-fluid reactions and the controls upon these (T, pH, Eh, saturation) that are applicable to magmatic, metamorphic, hydrothermal, geothermal and aqueous geochemical problems. Fundamentals of stable and radiogenic isotope geochemistry are applied to a range of Earth science problems from age dating to paleoclimate and mantle heterogeneity.</div> <div>This unit provides the principles of geochemistry that underpin processes in all Earth and planetary science disciplines.</div>        <table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td colspan="2" style="width:496px;">On the successful completion of the course, students will be able to: </td> <td style="width:71px;">Developed</td> <td style="width:66px;">Assessed</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:64px;height:48px;">ILO 1</td> <td style="width:431px;height:48px;">Describe and explain mineral-mineral & mineral-fluid reactions, and apply these to geochemical processes.</td> <td style="width:71px;height:48px;">Yes</td> <td style="width:66px;height:48px;">Yes</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:64px;height:48px;">ILO 2</td> <td style="width:431px;height:48px;">Apply stable and radiogenic isotope systems to solve Earth and planetary science problems.</td> <td style="width:71px;height:48px;">Yes</td> <td style="width:66px;height:48px;">Yes</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:64px;height:48px;">ILO 3</td> <td style="width:431px;height:48px;">Apply the fundamental principles of thermodynamics to solve Earth and planetary science problems.</td> <td style="width:71px;height:48px;">Yes</td> <td style="width:66px;height:48px;">Yes</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:64px;height:46px;">ILO 4</td> <td style="width:431px;height:46px;">Use the principles of kinetics to interpret reaction rates and diffusion-related phenomena in geochemical systems.</td> <td style="width:71px;height:46px;">Yes</td> <td style="width:66px;height:46px;">Yes</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:64px;height:48px;">ILO 5</td> <td style="width:431px;height:48px;">Acquire and interpret geochemical data relating to aqueous systems.</td> <td style="width:71px;height:48px;">Yes</td> <td style="width:66px;height:48px;">Yes</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:64px;height:48px;">ILO 6</td> <td style="width:431px;height:48px;">Predict the behaviour of fluid systems in the natural environment</td> <td style="width:71px;height:48px;">Yes </td> <td style="width:66px;height:48px;">Yes</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:64px;height:48px;">ILO 7</td> <td style="width:431px;height:48px;">Explain the fundamental principles of organic geochemistry</td> <td style="width:71px;height:48px;">Yes</td> <td style="width:66px;height:48px;">Yes</td> </tr> </tbody></table>  The unit introduces the concepts of thermodynamics and reaction kinetics that govern geochemical processes at Earth’s surface and in its deep interior. It develops the principles of mineral-mineral and mineral-fluid reactions and the controls upon these (T, pH, Eh, saturation) that are applicable to magmatic, metamorphic, hydrothermal, geothermal and aqueous geochemical problems. Fundamentals of stable and radiogenic isotope geochemistry are applied to a range of Earth science problems from age dating to paleoclimate and mantle heterogeneity. Lectures:Week 2: The geochemist’s periodic table: element partitioning and chemical differentiationWeek 3: The age and provenance of rocks: radiogenic isotopesWeek 4: Reactions in geochemical systems: thermodynamics and phase diagram principlesWeek 5: Melting and crystallisation in geochemical systems: phase diagram applicationsWeek 6: The pace of geochemical processes: kinetics and diffusionWeek 7: reading weekWeek 8: Acids, bases and solubilityWeek 9: Carbonates and the carbon cycleWeek 10: Redox and weathering reactionsWeek 11: Hydrothermal systems and the oceansWeek 12: Stable isotopes and carbon dating Practicals:Specific timing depends on groupings, but approximate practicals will be:Week 2: Trace element modelling (PC based)Week 3: Isochron dating (PC based)Week 4: Introduction to phase diagrams (paper based)Week 5: Phase diagrams of magmatic systems (paper based)Week 6: Timescales of magmatic processes (PC based)Week 7: Health and safety and ions in solution – write up week 8Week 9: Buffering and alkalinity - write up week 10Week 11: Stable isotopes (paper based)  <div>Learning during this course unit will be based upon (i) lectures and (ii) practicals, supported by reading lists and further e-learning materials made available on Blackboard. Course format consists of weekly 1-hour lectures which provide theory for application in practical sessions. The first half of the course mainly covers geochemical theory whilst the second half of the course covers broader geochemical topics on a global scale. A key component of this unit is the emphasis on hands-on physical experimentation in the weekly practical classes. Students will be trained in the safe use of the experimental equipment and they will be able to demonstrate their competence in the safe operation of the equipment through practicals. Practical sessions consist of either 2hr paper/PC based practical or 2hr lab based work and 2hr lab work writeup session the following week. Practical sessions reinforce principles from lectures. Feedback is ongoing during writeup sessions and online discussion forum is available. Students are encouraged to use this format to discuss any issues amongst themselves and with academic staff / demonstrators. </div>  1 Written exam 80% 3 Report 20% <table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width:120px;height:68px;">Assessment type</td> <td style="width:94px;height:68px;">% weighting within unit</td> <td style="width:85px;height:68px;">Hand out and hand in dates</td> <td style="width:94px;height:68px;">Length </td> <td style="width:191px;height:68px;">How, when and what feedback is provided</td> <td style="width:55px;height:68px;">ILO tested</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:120px;height:54px;">Exam</td> <td style="width:94px;height:54px;">80%</td> <td style="width:85px;height:54px;"> </td> <td style="width:94px;height:54px;"> </td> <td style="width:191px;height:54px;">Feedback offered on individual papers in EES organised session</td> <td style="width:55px;height:54px;">1–7</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:120px;height:101px;">Report(individual):data analysis &interpretation.Formative</td> <td style="width:94px;height:101px;">0%</td> <td style="width:85px;height:101px;">Hand out week 2. Hand in week 4.</td> <td style="width:94px;height:101px;">ca. 4 pages</td> <td style="width:191px;height:101px;">Class-level feedback on Blackboard and individual written feedback within 10 working days. Drop-in Q&A in week 6.</td> <td style="width:55px;height:101px;">1-2</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:120px;height:86px;">Report(individual):data analysis &interpretation.Summative </td> <td style="width:94px;height:86px;">20%</td> <td style="width:85px;height:86px;">Hand out week 5. Hand in week 7.</td> <td style="width:94px;height:86px;">ca. 4 pages</td> <td style="width:191px;height:86px;">Class-level feedback on Blackboard and written feedback provided within 10 working days. Drop-in Q&A in week 9.</td> <td style="width:55px;height:86px;">1, 3, 4</td> </tr> </tbody></table>  1st year Earth & Planetary Science or Environmental Science BSc (Hons) Earth and Plan Scie BSc (Hons) Earth (Geology) Second Year Mandatory BSc (Hons) Earth and Plan Scie BSc (Hons) Earth (Planet Sci) Second Year Mandatory BSc (Hons) Earth and Plan Scie BSc (Hons) Earth (Geochemistr) Second Year Mandatory BSc (Hons) Earth and Plan Scie BSc (Hons) Earth (Resources) Second Year Mandatory BSc (Hons) Earth and Plan Scie BSc(Hons)Earth&Plan Sci-Palaeo Second Year Optional MEarthSci (Hons) Ea and Pl Sci MEarthSci (Hons) Earth (Geolo) Second Year Mandatory MEarthSci (Hons) Ea and Pl Sci MEarthSci (Hons) Earth (Plane) Second Year Mandatory MEarthSci (Hons) Ea and Pl Sci MEarthSci (Hons) Earth (Geoch) Second Year Mandatory MEarthSci (Hons) Ea and Pl Sci MEarthSci (Hons) Earth (Resou) Second Year Mandatory MEarthSci (Hons) Ea and Pl Sci MEarthSci (Hons) Earth (Palae) Second Year Optional MEarthSci (Hons) Earth Industr MEarthSci EPS w IE (GeoChem) Second Year Mandatory MEarthSci (Hons) Earth Industr MEarthSci EPS Yr Industry (ER) Second Year Mandatory MEarthSci (Hons) Earth Abroad MEarthSci EPS Abroad (PS) Second Year Mandatory MEarthSci (Hons) Earth Abroad MEarthSci EPS w YA (Geochem) Second Year Mandatory MEarthSci (Hons) Earth Abroad MEarthSci EPS Abroad (ER) Second Year Mandatory MEarthSci (Hons) Earth Abroad MEarthSci EPS Yr Abroad (Pala) Second Year Optional BSc (Hons) Environmental Sci BSc(Hons) Envir Science (ACS) Second Year Optional MEnvSci Environmental Science MEnvSci Environ Science (ACS) Second Year Optional MEnvSci Env Sci with Ind Exp MEnvSci Env Sci with IE (ACS) Second Year Optional MEnvSci Env Sci with Int Study MEnvSci Env Sci with IS (ACS) Second Year Optional MEarthSci (Hons) EPS with Res MEarthSci (H) EPS (ER) with Re Second Year Excluded MEarthSci (Hons) EPS with Res MEaSc (H) EPS w R (GeoChem) Second Year Mandatory MEarthSci (Hons) EPS with Res MEaSc (H) EPS (Plan Sci) w Res Second Year Mandatory MEarthSci (Hons) EPS with Res MEaSc (H) EPS (Paleo) with Res Second Year Optional MEnvSci (Hons) Env Sci w Resea MEnSc (H) Env Sci w RP (ACS) Second Year Optional EssentialWhite W. W. (2013) Geochemistry. Wiley-Blackwell, p. 668.Misra K. C. (2012) Introduction to Geochemistry: Principles and Applications. Wiley-Blackwell, p. 452.McSween H. Y. and Richardson S. M. (2003) Geochemistry: Pathways and Processes. Columbia University Press, 2nd edition, p.432. CoreBest M. G. (2002) Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology, Wiley, 2nd Edition p.752. (e-book)Putnis A. (1992) Introduction to Mineral Sciences, Cambridge University Press, p. 457. RecommendedPhilpotts A. & Ague J. (2009) Principles of Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology, Cambridge University Press, 2nd Edition, p.667.Wenk H.R. & Bulakh A. (2016) Minerals: Their Constitution and Origin, Cambridge University Press, 2nd Edition, p.621. Lectures 10 Practical classes & workshops 20 0 70 <figure class="table"><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="0"><tbody><tr><td style="height:68px;width:139px;"> </td><td style="height:68px;width:85px;">Type</td><td style="height:9.75pt;padding:0cm;width:169.5pt;" width="226">Example student activity</td><td style="height:68px;width:75px;">Total Hours</td><td style="height:68px;width:160px;">New material</td><td style="height:68px;width:104px;">Consolidation and Practice</td></tr><tr><td style="height:39px;width:139px;">Contact time (students are in front of staff)</td><td style="height:39px;width:85px;">Lecture (new material)</td><td style="height:39px;width:75px;">Mostly listening & taking notes (mostly new material)</td><td style="height:39px;width:75px;">10</td><td style="height:39px;width:160px;">10</td><td style="height:39px;width:104px;"> </td></tr><tr><td> </td><td>Lecture (revision/examples)</td><td>Mostly listening & taking notes (no new material- revision of course)</td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td></tr><tr><td style="height:101px;width:139px;"> </td><td style="height:101px;width:85px;">Practical (new material and practice. Typically 25-50% of practical time is spent on new material)</td><td style="height:101px;width:75px;">Interactive individual or group work (problem solving, experiments, watching demonstrations, describing and interpreting samples, paper-based exercises, computer-based exercises)</td><td style="height:101px;width:75px;">20</td><td style="height:101px;width:160px;">10</td><td style="height:101px;width:104px;">10</td></tr><tr><td style="height:101px;width:139px;"> </td><td style="height:101px;width:85px;">Tutorial</td><td style="height:101px;width:75px;">Interactive small group work</td><td style="height:101px;width:75px;"> </td><td style="height:101px;width:160px;"> </td><td style="height:101px;width:104px;"> </td></tr><tr><td> </td><td>Seminar/examples class</td><td>Working on and discussing questions (here: field seminar)</td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td></tr><tr><td>Independent study time</td><td style="height:9.75pt;padding:0cm;width:131.5pt;" width="175">Pre/post lecture work</td><td>Reading own notes, re-solving examples, prep work, revisit podcast</td><td>13</td><td> </td><td>13</td></tr><tr><td> </td><td>Pre/post practical work/write up</td><td>Complete practical work, prep work, reading feedback</td><td>20</td><td> </td><td>12.5</td></tr><tr><td> </td><td>Studio/workshop time</td><td>Individual or group work (student led)</td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td></tr></tbody></table></figure>