Course description: This is a required course for the juniors of the Dept. of Geosciences. This course will introduce how “geochemistry” provides solutions of chemical-and-physical controls on element disctribution and isotope fractionation and how it gives clues of evolution and dynamic nature of biogeochemical systems in and beyond the Earth. It emphasizes both theoretical and practical aspects of geochemical and isotopic tracers. The topics include principles of inorganic geochemistry and of isotope geology. Theories and applications of stable and radiogenic isotopes will be given. Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to understand and appreciate the applications of elements and isotopes to the solution of global geological and environmental problems and their limitations

Literature: Principles and Applications of Inorganic Geochemistry by Faure
Principles of Isotope Geology by Faure
Radiogenic Isotope Geology by Dickin
Text materials: Selected chapters and class handouts.
Grading: Homework, 30%; Midterm exam, 30%, Final, 30%. Attendance and participation, 20%.
Syllabus:
1. Introduction.
2. Principles of inorganic geochemistry.
3. Chemical compositions in geo-environments
4. Geochemical processes and fractionantions.
5. Geochemical cycles.
6. Principles of stable isotope geology.
7. Isotope fractionation and isotopic mixing and dilution.
8. Isotopes of H, C, N, O and S.
9. Principles of radiogenic isotope geology.
10. Rb-Sr method.
11. Sm-Nd method.
12. K-Ar and Ar-Ar methods.
13. U-series geochemistry: U-Pb dating, U-series dating, Pb-Pb dating
14. Rare gas geochemistry.
15. Final exam.