INTRODUCTION to GEOCHEMISTRY (ERTH 2140)

Spring 2012

This course is about the chemical systems and processes of the planet we live on. It covers a diversity of topics in both chemistry and geology, with two specific objectives: 1) to help students develop skills in chemistry that are useful in the study of earth systems; and 2) to provide students with insight into the origins of -- and the interactions among -- the Earth's atmosphere, oceans and rocks. The overarching goal of the course is to shed light on the Earth as a collection of complex, interacting chemical systems -- systems that provide ample opportunities to apply both basic and advanced principles of chemistry.  Students who complete the course in good standing will appreciate the complexity, breadth and scales of Earth-systems chemistry and have a working knowledge of relevant kinetic and equilibrium phenomena.  They will also emerge with tools and insights that will be essential to informed decision-making on environment and energy issues.

It will be helpful to have taken some introductory-level geoscience (e.g., Geology I and/or II), but these are not formal prerequisites for the course, and no geology background will be assumed. Students who have not taken introductory college-level chemistry might find the course a struggle, and should consult with the instructor before the term gets underway. Some prior knowledge of physical chemistry will be helpful, but much of this will be taught as we go. Basic knowledge of calculus will be assumed.

The 2-hour class periods (MTh 10:00-11:50) will be used for formal introduction of material in lecture format (generally not for the full 110 minutes!), and also for supplementary discussion, in-class exercises, and introduction of homework assignments. Attendance is encouraged simply because we will not follow the text page by page (or even chapter by chapter), and you will be at a disadvantage if you have not participated—or at least listened—in class.

As discussed in class on January 24th, there are two text options this term.  Neither one is truly required, but you will find either one helpful for background reading and as a supplement to the notes made available at this web page (which are not intended as "stand alone" reading). One of the options is the FREE on-line text entitled simply "Geochemistry". This book, written by Prof. W.M. White of Cornell University, is an outstanding reference volume where you can find in-depth treatment of most of the topics we cover in class.  You can get there by clicking on:

                     http://www.geo.cornell.edu/geology/classes/geo455/Chapters.HTML.

At this site, you will find the entire text in the form of 15 chapters and 3 appendices as separate files in PDF format. You can download these to your computer and/or print them out (you'll need the Adobe Acrobat reader to do this; there's a link to a free download at Prof. White's website).  We are not using this as the sole textbook this year because it's a little more advanced on most topics than is appropriate for an introductory course.  I think Prof. White would be pleased to have input from us, so don't hesitate to communicate ideas or criticisms (or praise!) to me or directly to him.

The other option is Essentials of Geochemistry (2nd edition), by Prof. John V. Walther. This is available now at the RPI bookstore or (perhaps more cheaply) at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc. It is an excellent introductory text that covers most of the field of geochemistry at an appropriate level.  I strongly recommend this book for students who think their future career paths might involve work in geochemistry or a related field. The treatment of aquatic (aqueous) geochemistry is especially good. This text available at reduced cost as an e-book; just go to http://www.coursesmart.com/9781449607272 .

There will be three exams during the term, on FEBRUARY 23, APRIL 2, and MAY 7 (see calendar below).  The exams will cover material presented during the preceding 7 or 8 class periods.  One exam score will be "de-valued" as described under "grading" below, and the third exam, although not a cumulative final, will include extra-credit questions draw from material covered during the entire term.  A review session will be held before each exam.

There will be 5 or 6 homework assignments over the course of the semester, handed out at ~2 week intervals beginning in the second week of class. Each of these is expected to require no more than 2-3 hours (often less) for completion. Assignments will be designed as "intuition-builders" or to illustrate concepts and principles, not as crank-and-grind busywork.

Team Project

Before spring break, students will draw names to form teams of 3-4 individuals each. Each team will choose a project from a list of topics prepared by Prof. Watson to illustrate and expand upon key concepts covered in the course.  Each team will describe their project and conclusions in a ~20-min presentation to the class at the end of the term.   

Grading

Exam scores will comprise 65% of the course grade. The lowest exam score will be weighted only 11%, the other two 27%.  The homework will count 25% of the course grade; the team project 10%. 

Good student-teacher relationships are built on trust. Students should have confidence that we have made appropriate decisions about the structure and content of this course, and that we will make a strong effort to accommodate the varying needs of a diverse group of students. Teachers, in turn, must have confidence that the assignments and exams you turn in represent your own work.

The Rensselaer Handbook defines various forms of Academic Dishonesty and procedures for responding to them. All forms are violations of the trust between students and teachers. Students should familiarize themselves with the appropriate portion of the Rensselaer Handbook and note that the penalties for plagiarism and other forms of cheating can be quite harsh.

In this course, collaboration or group work in the completion of recitation exercises and homework is encouraged. However, the final paperwork (or electronic file) you hand in should be written by you in your own words. Collaboration of any sort on exams will be considered cheating.

Spring 2012 SYLLABUS

January             23:       Course introduction

                         26:       Radiometric dating 1

                        30:       Radiometric dating 2

February            2:       Isotopes in geochemistry

                          6:       Cosmic abundance and origin of the nuclides

                          9:       Elemental abundances in the Earth

                        13:       Differentiation of the Earth (general)

                        16:       Differentiation of the Earth: crust, mantle and core

                        23:       EXAM 1

                        27:       Differentiation of the Earth: atmosphere and oceans

March                1:       Equilibrium fractionation of elements and isotopes

                          5:       Equilibrium fractionation 2

                          8:       Kinetic fractionation of elements and isotopes

                        19:       Carbon cycle, part 1

                        22:       Carbon cycle, part 2

                        26:       Diffusion 1

                        29:       Diffusion 2

April                   2:       EXAM 2

                          5:       Diffusion 3

                          9:       Thermodynamics: introduction/review

                        12:       Thermodynamics & phase diagrams 1

                        16:       Thermodynamics & phase diagrams 2

                        19:       Thermodynamics & phase diagrams 3

                        23:       Nanogeochemistry

                        26:       TBA

                        30:       team project presentations

May                   3:       team project presentations

                          7:       EXAM 3

Class meeting calendar

Handouts for lectures

To get the class handouts for the date you want, click on the appropriate button for a PDF file you can print or download (files are password-protected)...

  Course introduction      Radiometric dating 1      Radiometric dating 2      Radiometric dating 3      Element abundances (2/6)

  Earth abundances (2/9)

Exercises, homework, etc.

  Homework 1 (due 2/13)

Reading to accompany and augment lectures (will be updated as the semester progresses)

Below are suggestions for reading to supplement the material discussed in class.  Note that neither text does covers the topics in the same order we will!

Thermodynamics:    Walther, chapters 3 & 4

Geochemistry as a Discipline:   White, chapter 1, sections 1.1 - 1.2.

Nature and Differentiation of the Earth:  Walther, chapter 2; White, chapter 1, sections 1.5.1 - 1.5.3.

Radioactive Decay and Age Dating:  Walther, chapter 10, pp. 371-387, 399-404; White, chapter 8, sections 8.1 - 8.3

Nucleosynthesis (origin of the elements): Elements article by Shatz (click ); White, chapter 10, pp. 421-431