Geochemical refers to the study and analysis of the chemical elements and their physical and chemical properties within the Earth's crust, as well as their distribution and behavior within various geological processes. It is a branch of geology that focuses on understanding the composition, characteristics, and transformations of chemical elements and compounds in rocks, minerals, soils, water, and gases found on Earth.
Geochemical investigations involve the collection and analysis of samples from different geological materials, such as rocks, soil, sediments, and fluids, including groundwater and surface water. These samples are typically subjected to various analytical techniques to determine the elemental, isotopic, and molecular compositions, as well as the concentrations and ratios of different chemical species present.
The field of geochemistry encompasses a wide range of sub-disciplines, including organic geochemistry, inorganic geochemistry, biogeochemistry, environmental geochemistry, and isotope geochemistry, among others. Each sub-discipline focuses on specific aspects of chemical processes in Earth’s systems, such as the geological storage of carbon, the cycling of nutrients in ecosystems, the impact of human activities on environmental chemistry, and the tracing of elements and isotopes for geological dating and understanding past environments.
Geochemical information is crucial for deciphering the Earth's history, understanding geological processes, and unraveling the interactions between the solid Earth, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere. It has applications in various fields, including mining exploration, environmental monitoring, oil and gas exploration, paleoclimate reconstructions, and understanding the origin and evolution of rocks and minerals.
