ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY

Course objectives

This course aims at defining and understanding the geochemical mechanisms related to element mobility among distinct phases. Natural terrestrial “reservoirs” will be studied in order to characterise their chemical compositions, and to understand geochemical cycles, that are fluxes of elements among different reservoirs. Students are expected to interpret correctly the processes that may result into characteristic chemical enrichments/depletions and to apply the proper chemical/isotopic systematics to infer the chemical reactions occurred in the evironment.

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LUIGI DALLAI Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
Introduction to physical-chemical properties of elements and isotopes; chemical composition of the Earth;the rock cycle; geo/bioavailable elements; ions in solution; soubility and redox reactions; cycle of H2O; isotope traceability; isotopic hydrogeochimistry ; carbon cycle; nitrogen cycle; solfur and phosphorous cycle; metal and metalloids; mercury.
Prerequisites
Undergraduate geochemistry course
Books
Geochimica ambientale. B.De Vivo, A. Lima and F.R. Siegel. Liguori Editore Principles of Stable Isotope Geochemistry. Z. D. Sharp. Pearson Education. An Introduction to Enviromental Geochemistry_J.E. Andrews, P. Brimblecombe, T.D. Jickells, P.S. Liss and B. Reid. Blackwell Publishing
Frequency
Not compulsory to attend
Exam mode
Questions and insights
Lesson mode
PPT slides and further readings
  • Lesson code1010062
  • Academic year2025/2026
  • CourseEnvironmental Monitoring and Recovery
  • CurriculumSingle curriculum
  • Year1st year
  • Semester2nd semester
  • SSDGEO/08
  • CFU6