Objectives

This course focuses on the chemistry of the natural world and the chemical evolution of the Earth over geological time. We will discuss practical and theoretical geochemistry, with an emphasis on how chemical principles are used to study Earth Sciences. The course is composed of three modules: (a) geochemical fundamentals; (b) natural and anthropogenically perturbed aspects of the Earth's hydrosphere and atmosphere and their interactions with rocks, sediments, soils and the biosphere; and (c) the origin and evolution of Earth (crust-mantle-core) through nuclear and high temperature chemical processes.

Learning Outcomes

Students may able to describe the composition of the Earth´s main geochemical reservoirs and can explain element fractionation and how this can be used to understand endogenous and exogenous geochemical and geobiological processes. They may able tell about stable isotopes and how such data can be used to understand various geochemical and geobiological processes. They can interpret how radiogenic isotope signatures can be used to trace the source of minerals, rocks and fluids describe the use of geochronology to date magmatic and metamorphic events. They could describe how chemical weathering of minerals and rocks control the composition of sediments/soil and natural water explain why carbon dioxide and the carbonate system play an important role in weathering reactions describe where the main global carbon reservoirs are, and the most important processes that control the global carbon cycle can use a precise scientific language to describe and discuss major geochemical processes has competence in scientific ethics and the ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Text Books:

1. Misra, K. C. (2012). Introduction to geochemistry: principles and applications. John Wiley & Sons.

2. White, W. M. (2015). Isotope geochemistry. John Wiley & Sons.

3. Rudnick, R. L., & Holland, H. D. (Eds.). (2005). Treatise on geochemistry. 3. The crust. Elsevier Pergamon.

Research Project / Practicals / Labs / Assignments

Each student shall present atleast 5 recent most research papers talking about up-to-date research scenarios in Applied Geochemistry including Environmental Geochemistry, Hydrogeochemistry, Isotope Geochemistry, Mineral and Ore Deposits Geochemistry, Cosmochemistry and Application of Remote Sensing in Geochemistry.

Each student shall submit a term paper before last week of semester

Course Start Date: March 02, 2020

Course End Date:   June 22, 2020

Class Timing

Wednesday        02:00 -03:00 PM

Thrusday            02:00- 03:00 PM

Friday                 02:00 -03:00 PM

Assesment Criteria:

Sessional: 20 [Assignments (05) Presentations (05) Quiz (05) Attendance (05)]

Mid Term (Term paper): 30

Final exam: 50