Geochemistry is a discipline that aims to portray the whole and detailed chemical picture of nature that includes the Earth, solar system, and universe. This course explains geochemical point of view that intends to understand objects/phenomena from behavior of elements, chemical compounds, and isotopes. It also focuses on experimental methods, and developments in interdisciplinary research fields.
The contents of Environmental chemistry (CAP.I405) course is reviewed from a wide point of view. We explain how the analytical methods instructed in Environmental analytical chemistry (CAP.I415) is applied to understanding of compositions of the Earth/universe and their cycles, as well as basic knowledge for Material cycle analysis (CAP.I535)
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
(1) Understand the concept of geochemistry that is based on fundamental knowledge of chemistry, physics, biology, geoscience etc.
(2) Understand the effectiveness and impact of geochemistry that serves as a basis for earth science, environmental science, ecology, geobiology, etc.
History of the Earth, Geosphere, Earth's surface environment, elements and isotopes, Space environment
✔ Specialist skills | Intercultural skills | Communication skills | Critical thinking skills | ✔ Practical and/or problem-solving skills |
Two-thirds of each class is devoted to fundamentals and the rest to advanced content or application. At the end of each class, students are given excercise problems to confirm their understanding of the lecture.
Course schedule | Required learning | |
---|---|---|
Class 1 | Introduction, origin of elements, isotopes | Read the chapter 1 of the text book. |
Class 2 | Formation and evolution of the solar system and the earth | Read the chapters 2-4 of the text book. |
Class 3 | Soils, rocks, minerals, and magmas | Read the chapters 3, 5, 6, and 11 of the text book. |
Class 4 | Atmosphere and hydrosphere | Read the chapters 8, 9, and 11 of the text book. |
Class 5 | Space Situational Awareness beyond Low Earth Orbit | To understand the “Space Debris” and the “Space Weather Report”. |
Class 6 | Space Environment Utilization and Interplanetary Contaminations | To understand cosmic matters and rays which affect on space environment utilization processes. |
Class 7 | Role of biosphere | Read the chapter 10 of the text book. |
Class 8 | Local and global environmental change | Read the chapter 12 of the text book. |
Matsuhisa Y and T Akagi, Introduction to Geochemistry, Baihu-kan (In Japanese) ISBN978-4-563-04901-0
Handouts will be distributed at the beginning of class when necessary and elaborated on using PowerPoint slides. PowerPoint documents that are ti be used in class will be made available in advance via the OCW system. Students are expected to use these documents for preparation and review purposes.
Scores are based on exercise problems (50%) and final exam (50%).
Students must have successfully completed Environmental Analytical Chemistry (CAP.I415.E) or have equivalent knowledge.