Geochemistry : An Introduction

An introduction to geochemistry for undergraduates, covering a wide range of topics.

From measuring geological time, through unravelling the evolution of continents, ocean and mantle, to understanding climate change, modern geochemistry is a discipline which pervades nearly all of the Earth Sciences. Geochemistry provides a broad introduction to the subject, which concentrates on the inorganic chemistry of the condensed part of our planet. This new textbook is written by the author of the authoritative and widely acclaimed Introduction to Geochemical Modelling (Cambridge, 1995). Emphasizing general principles rather than specific observations, Professor Albarède leads the reader through the simplest concepts of physics and chemistry behind geochemical processes. He covers fields central to geochemistry, such as crystal chemistry, mass balance and element transport, and geochemical dynamics. A broad range of applications is introduced, in natural water systems, the deep Earth and planetary processes. Geochemistry is an ideal textbook for undergraduate students, and will also provide an accessible introduction for researchers working in related fields.