1st Edition

Lectures in Geochemistry

By Alexey Ptitsyn Copyright 2018
    89 Pages
    by CRC Press

    89 Pages
    by CRC Press

    This book is a brief summary of the course of lectures in Geochemistry for undergraduate and graduate students from other than Geological Departments (chemists, biologists, ecologists and naturalists). It describes the Earth’s structure and some geological processes.



    The modern geochemical concepts take proper account of global geological processes and the influence of Cosmos. They are based on the laws and approaches of equilibrium and non-equilibrium thermodynamics. The cycles of energy and chemical elements within the Earth are interrelated with the global geochemical cycle.



    In addition to the traditional Geochemistry course, this book offers Geochemistry of microorganisms, Geochemistry of dispersed systems, Geochemistry of cryogenesis, and Geochemistry of cryptobiosphere.



    Features:



  • Provides the reader with a general idea of the Earth’s chemical life and its related global geological events


  • Offers a concise and clear description of the modern concepts in Geochemistry, including new directions such as Geochemistry of Cryogenesis, Geochemistry of Disperse Systems, Geochemistry of Microorganisms, and Geochemistry of Cryptobiosphere


  • Implies a wide application of the thermodynamic approach.


  • Useful for students who, though lacking in geology basics, are experienced in chemistry and biology


  •  

    Lecture 1: Geochemistry tools. Statistical geochemistry. Equilibrium thermodynamics: phase diagrams. Nonequilibrium thermodynamics, thermodynamic principles of evolution. Laws of self-development.
    Lecture 2: Cosmochemistry. The formation, composition and structure of the Earth. Energy of the Earth: external and internal sources of energy. Heat flow. Heat transfer to the Earth's surface. The cycle of energy in the Earth
    Lecture 3: Geochemistry of elements
    Lecture 4: Evolution of the Earth as a planet
    Lectures 5 and 6: Geochemistry of processes
    Lecture 7: The biosphere: its origin, evolution, sustainability, geochemical functions. Water in the biosphere. The cryptobiosphere. The role of misroorganisms.
    Lecture 8: Chemistry of the environment. Pollution of the environment: chemical, radioactive, biological. Environmental monitoring.
    Lecture 9: Geochemistry of systems: general provisions, structure, stability, emergence. Earth as a system. Geochemical provinces, climate, technogenic systems.
    Lecture 10: A generalized model of the Earth as a self-developing system.

    Biography

    Prof. Alexey Borisovich Ptitsyn (1941) is a Russian geochemist. He obtained his education at Novosibirsk State University (1959-64) and conducted research in experimental mineralogy at the Institute of Geology and Geophysics, at the USSR (now Russian) Academy of Sciences (1964-98). He is Professor of geochemistry and environmental chemistry, Novosibirsk State University (1995-pres.) and Zabaykalsk State Pedagogical University (1998-2013).  Alexey is Director of the Chita Institute of Natural Resources (1998-2014) and Principal researcher at the Institute of Natural Resources, Ecology and Cryology, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (2014-pres.). He is member of the International Academy of Ecology and Life Protection Sciences (since 2001), International Academy of Mineral Resources (since 2002).



    Publications include: Tutorial in Geochemistry: Introduction to Geoecology (2012); Geochemistry of the Biosphere (2013); and a monograph on Theoretical Geochemistry (2006).



    Fields of interest: Geochemistry, ecology, cryology, biogeochemistry, origin and evolution of the biosphere, ecological sustainability, ecosystem dynamics.