Applied Geochemistry

Code: GEO13478M

6 ECTS

Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours

Scientific Area: Geology

Teaching languages: Portuguese

Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese, English

Regime de Frequência: Presencial

Presentation

The Discipline of Applied Geochemistry provides knowledge on practical application to various aspects of human endeavour such as environmental preservation, environmental monitoring, agriculture, health, waste disposal and resource demand

Sustainable Development Goals

Educação de qualidade - Assegurar a educação inclusiva, e equitativa e de qualidade, e promover oportunidades de aprendizagem ao longo da vida para todos.

Learning Goals

This discipline introduces students to key concepts in the field of environmental geochemistry; provide theoretical and practical knowledge related to the application of geochemical methods in the study of distribution and behaviour of chemical elements in the surface environment, with emphasis to the processes determining the mobility of chemical species in soils and aquatic environments and their transfer to hydrosphere and biosphere.
Some basic concepts about the meaning of the distribution of some elements in the igneous processes will also be provided.

1- Principles and methods of Surficial Geochemical Processes
Weathering environments
Stream and lake sediments
Surface properties of solid constituents
Sampling methods
2- Principles of fluid and aquatic Geochemistry
Surface and interstitial water
Physical-chemical processes
Interactions with minerals and among dissolved species
3- High temperature Geochemistry
Behaviour of trace elements and geological controls in igneous processes
Geochemical composition of the mantle, continental and oceanic crust
4- Using geochemical data of rare earth elements (REEs) on surficial geochemistry
The chemistry of REEs
Interpreting REEs patterns
Multi-element diagrams
5- Environmental Geochemistry
Biogeochemistry of TE in surface environments
Environmental aspects of mine wastes
Ex-situ and in-situ strategies for remediation of contaminated soils and sediments
6- Analytical Geochemistry and data quality
7- Case studies

Teaching Methods

Teaching will involve lectures and practical classes. Theoretical classes will provide the principles and methods that will enable the understanding of surface geochemical processes and geochemical behaviour of key elements at the surface and in igneous environments. Practical classes will be mainly laboratorial, with the use of several types of precision analytical equipment, which will provide students with the tools to study the same processes and materials.
The evaluation will be made in two alternative ways: (1) Continuous evaluation: 2 theoretical frequencies during the teaching period and laboratory component that will include the student's participation in practical work and presentation of reports with resolution of case studies; (2) Final evaluation: theoretical examination and presentation of a report at the end of the semester, which include the various work carried out and resolution of case studies. Theoretical component (40%); Practical component (60%) of the final grade