Geochemistry

Code:

GEOL3002

Acronym:

GEOL3002

Level:

300

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Geology

Instance: 2024/2025 - 2S

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:B	17	Official Study Plan	3	-	6	48	162
L:CC	5	study plan from 2021/22	2	-	6	48	162
			3
L:F	2	Official Study Plan	2	-	6	48	162
			3
L:G	41	study plan from 2017/18	1	-	6	48	162
L:M	0	Official Study Plan	2	-	6	48	162
			3
L:Q	1	study plan from 2016/17	3	-	6	48	162

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. Major and trace elements. Partition coefficient. Rare earth elements.

 

7. Thermodynamical systems with geological importance.

 

8. Geochemistry of rock alteration.

 

9. Concept of ionic potential. The solubility of the omponents 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 and Environmental Geoscience, John Wiley and Sons, 2015. ISBN: 978-0-470-65665-5

Teaching methods and learning activities

 

Videoprojection for the theoretical presentations. Resolution of problems  and discussion of the results in the practical lessons, supplemented by field and laboratory guided visits when it is possible.

 

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Exame	100,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	106,00
Frequência das aulas	56,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

According to the pedagogical rules

Calculation formula of final grade

 

The final classification is the sum of 50% corresponding to the  theoretical exam component and 50%  corresponding to the theoretical and practical exam component. The final  classification lies in the range between 0 and 20.