Since most geological processes involve chemical reactions, geochemistry and geochemical data are also used to explain many of these processes in other areas of the geosciences. At Caltech GPS, geochemistry has been used since to study the distribution of chemical elements in the Earth and the solar system; to develop methods to date earth and solar system processes; to discover and observe the chemical composition of terrestrial and extraterrestrial materials; and to study chemical reactions in the interior of the Earth as well as its surface and in the solar system outside of the Earth.
Geochemistry is the study of the chemical and structural composition and evolution of Earth and its component parts, including the atmosphere, hydrosphere, crust, mantle, and core, as well as extraterrestrial matter, such as meteorites and comets, other planets, the sun, and distant stars. It concerns itself with the distribution and migration of elements within the Earth and its atmosphere.
Over time, geochemistry has evolved from a descriptive science to one increasingly concerned with the mechanisms behind its observations. Qing-zhu Yin Professor qyin ucdavis. Using extinct radioactivity and general isotopic anomalies in the early solar system recorded in primitive meteorites as a tool to study the time scales and site of nucleosynthesis, the time of formation of the solar system and planetary differentiation.
Isotope and trace element geochemistry with applications to crust-mantle evolution. Heavy metal stable isotope fractionation in low temperature environments on planetary surfaces or in biological systems using newly emerging high precision mass spectrometry techniques.
The development of associated experimental techniques involving high precision mass spectrometry and ultra-clean sample processing in Class clean laboratories for isotope analyses. William Casey Professor Emeritus whcasey ucdavis.
Interest is in the reactions between water, rock and minerals. Many weathering phenomena involve reactions with water on mineral surfaces, something which can be mimicked in the laboratory by studying the aqueous chemistry of metal aquo clusters by heteronuclear NMR and MS.
Other interests include crystal growth, general cluster chemistry, bio-inorganic chemistry, and chemistry from an environmental aspect. Charles Lesher Professor Emeritus celesher ucdavis. Experimental igneous petrology and geochemistry; phase equilibria and kinetics of silicate systems at elevated pressure and temperature; physical, transport and thermodynamic properties of silicate melts.
Recent projects include a Laboratory: low to high pressure phase equilibria studies of basaltic systems; trace element partitioning; chemical and self diffusion studies of silicate melts; solution properties of silicate liquids from thermal diffusion.
Alexandra Navrotsky Professor Emerita anavrotsky ucdavis. Research relates microscopic features of structure and bonding to macroscopic thermodynamic behavior in minerals, ceramics, and other complex materials.
She has published over scientific papers. Roeske Research Geologist Emerita smroeske ucdavis. Application of organic geochemistry to natural aqueous systems. Light stable and unstable isotopic studies applied to aqueous systems. Prerequisite: DCGN or equivalent. A survey of the geochemical characteristics of the various types of igneous rock suites. Application of major element, trace element, and isotope geochemistry to problems of their origin and modification. Prerequisite: Undergraduate mineralogy and petrology.
Offered alternate years. II Fundamental principles of classical thermodynamics and kinetics with specific application to the earth sciences. Gibbs Free Energy, chemical equilibria and the equilibrium constant. Solutions and activity-composition relationships for solids, fluids and gases. Phase equilibria and the graphical representation of equilibira. Application of the fundamentals of kinetics to geochemical examples.
Prerequisite: Introductory chemistry, introductory thermodynamics, mineralogy and petrology. Offered in alternate years. A study of organic carbonaceous materials in relation to the genesis and modification of fossil fuel and ore deposits. The biological origin of the organic matter will be discussed with emphasis on contributions of microorganisms to the nature of these deposits. Biochemical and thermal changes which convert the organic compounds into petroleum, oil shale, tar sand, coal and other carbonaceous matter will be studied.
Principal analytical techniques used for the characterization of organic matter in the geosphere and for evaluation of oil and gas source potential will be discussed. Laboratory exercises will emphasize source rock evaluation, and oil-source rock and oil-oil correlation methods. A study of the chemical and physical interactions which determine the fate, transport and interactions of organic chemicals in aquatic systems, with emphasis on chemical transformations of anthropogenic organic contaminants.
This course will cover the basic fundamentals of microbiology, such as structure and function of procaryotic versus eucaryotic cells; viruses; classification of micro-organisms; microbial metabolism, energetics, genetics, growth and diversity; microbial interactions with plants, animals, and other microbes. Additional topics covered will include various aspects of environmental microbiology such as global biogeochemical cycles, bioleaching, bioremediation, and wastewater treatment. Prerequisite: ESGN An introduction to the microorganisms of major geochemical importance, as well as those of primary importance in water pollution and waste treatment.
Microbes and sedimentation, microbial leaching of metals from ores, acid mine water pollution, and the microbial ecology of marine and freshwater habitats are covered. Prerequisite: none.
Designed to give the student an understanding of the role of living things, particularly microorganisms, in the shaping of the earth. Among the subjects will be the aspects of living processes, chemical composition and characteristics of biological material, origin of life, role of microorganisms in weathering of rocks and the early diagenesis of sediments, and the origin of petroleum, oil shale, and coal. I, II, S Pilot course or special topics course.
Topics chosen from special interests of instructor s and student s. Usually the course is offered only once, but no more than twice for the same course content. Variable credit: 0 to 6 credit hours. Repeatable for credit under different titles. I, II, S Individual research or special problem projects supervised by a faculty member, also, when a student and instructor agree on a subject matter, content, and credit hours.
Independent Study? Variable credit: 0. Contact the Department for credit limits toward the degree. Ranville, Chemistry John R. Craig Simmons, Chemistry. Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy 1. Geochemistry degree track Prerequisites Each entering student will have an entrance interview with members of the Geochemistry subprogram faculty.
Requirements The Master of Science Geochemistry degree track requires a minimum of 36 semester hours including: Course Work Environmental Biogeochemistry EBGC Degree track Prerequisites A candidate for an MS or PhD in the EBGC degree track should have an undergraduate science or engineering degree with coursework including multivariable calculus, two semesters each of physics and chemistry, and one semester each of biology and earth science.
Two Required Classes:.
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