Geochemistry

Code:

G331

Acronym:

G331

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Geology

Instance: 2015/2016 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Geosciences, Environment and Spatial Plannings
Course/CS Responsible:	Bachelor in Geology

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
L:G	14	P.E - estudantes com 1ª matricula anterior a 09/10	2	-	5	-
			3
		P.E - estudantes com 1ª matricula em 09/10	2	-	5	-
			3

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

 

Acquisition of theoretical knowledge on the geochemical laws that govern the chemical element distribution in the natural geochemical processes; resolution of practical cases using the treatment of analytical data that allow the characterization of primary evolution and the effectof secondary geochemical processes; understanding the effects of Man activity in the environmental equlibrium based on the study of the  mobility and dispersion of elements.

 

Learning outcomes and competences

 

The student will be able to solve practical exercises and perform an analysis, discussion and critical interpretation of  the results. The theoretical/ practical exercises contribute to acknowledge the importance of the application of the acquired skills, as well as to leave in perspective future developments in the analytical techniques to  face  new geochemical challenges.

 

 

 

 

Working method

Presencial

Program

 

1. Definition and object of Geochemistry. Historical evolution .Geochemical cycle.

 

2. Origin and cosmic abundance of the elements

 

3. The Earth as a chemical system. Primary geochemical differentiation. Geochemical data bases. Geochemical modelling.

 

4. The distribution  of  the chemical elements. Periodic table. Goldschmidt geochemical classification.

 

5. Geochemical laws and their application

 

6. Thermodynamic control in  magmatic crystallisation. Thermodynamical systems with geological importance.

 

7. Application of the concept of equilibrium to metamorphic rocks.

 

8. Geochemistry of rock alteration.

 

9.Sedimentation as  a geochemical process . The solubility of the components in function of the pH of the environment.

 

10. The importance of isotopes in Geochemistry.

 

11. Examples of applied geochemistry. The importance of  the geochemical  behaviour in different environments.

 

12. Analytical techniques the most  frequently used to obtain geochemical data.

 

Mandatory literature

Brownlow Arthur H.; Geochemistry. ISBN: 0-13-398272-6
Faure Gunter; Principles and applications of geochemistry. ISBN: 0-02-336450-5
Mason Brian; Principles of geochemistry
Krauskopf Konrad B.; Introdução à geoquímica
Rodrigues Britaldo; Interpretação de diagramas de fases de interesse geológico
Rollinson Hugh; Using geochemical data. ISBN: 0-582-06701-4
William M. White; Geochemistry, John Wiley & Sons, 2013. ISBN: 978 0 470 65668 6

Complementary Bibliography

Holland Heinrich D. 340; Treatise on geochemistry. ISBN: 0-08-043751-6
Robin Gill; Chemical Fundamentals of Geology, Chapman % Hall, 2015

Teaching methods and learning activities

 

Videoprojection for the theoretical presentations, discussion and resolution of problems in the theoretical and practical lessons, supplemented by field and laboratory guided visits.

 

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Exame	80,00
Participação presencial	20,00
Total:	100,00

Calculation formula of final grade

 

The final classification is the sum of the  partial classifications respectively of the final exam that represents 80% and the participation  in the classes representing 20%. The final classification of the exam results from three components: a written theoretical-practical exam with a weight of 30%,  plus the classification of the oral presentation and respective written report  on a subject selected from the program, with  a weight of 70%. The final  classification lies in the range between 0 and 20.