Overview

Major topics in the module may include:

1. Context and major concepts: key terminology, introduction to the primary and secondary environments and natural elemental abundance, importance of mineralization.
2. Geochemical behaviour in the secondary environment, cations and valency, processes of sorption, importance of pH and Eh.
3. Natural (geogenic) release of metals to the environment: processes of physical, biological and chemical weathering, volcanic activity. Determining `background' metal concentrations. Mapping of environmental geochemistry and the use of geochemical maps.
4. Human activities as sources of metals to the environment: mining, smelting, petrol combustion, waste incineration, use of sewage sludge.
5. Geochemistry and human health: toxicity and deficiency.
6. The importance of the fluvial environment in pollutant dispersal and storage. Geochemical timetombs.

Learning Outcomes

• Accurately explain elemental behaviour in the secondary environment.

• Analyse geochemical data using appropriate statistical techniques and draw appropriate conclusions.

• Evaluate and exemplify the role of human activity and natural processes in releasing elements into the environment.

• Explain the role of environmental geochemistry in influencing human health.