Lectures in Geochemistry

This book is a brief summary of the course of lectures in Geochemistry for undergraduate and graduate students from other than Geological Departments (chemists, biologists, ecologists and naturalists). It describes the Earth's structure and some geological processes. The modern geochemical concepts take proper account of global geological processes and the influence of Cosmos. They are based on the laws and approaches of equilibrium and non-equilibrium thermodynamics. The cycles of energy and chemical elements within the Earth are interrelated with the global geochemical cycle. In addition to the traditional Geochemistry course, this book offers Geochemistry of microorganisms, Geochemistry of dispersed systems, Geochemistry of cryogenesis, and Geochemistry of cryptobiosphere.

Author Biography: Prof. Alexey Borisovich Ptitsyn (1941) is a Russian geochemist. He obtained his education at Novosibirsk State University (1959-64) and conducted research in experimental mineralogy at the Institute of Geology and Geophysics, at the USSR (now Russian) Academy of Sciences (1964-98). He is Professor of geochemistry and environmental chemistry, Novosibirsk State University (1995-pres.) and Zabaykalsk State Pedagogical University (1998-2013). Alexey is Director of the Chita Institute of Natural Resources (1998-2014) and Principal researcher at the Institute of Natural Resources, Ecology and Cryology, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (2014-pres.). He is member of the International Academy of Ecology and Life Protection Sciences (since 2001), International Academy of Mineral Resources (since 2002). Publications include: Tutorial in Geochemistry: Introduction to Geoecology (2012); Geochemistry of the Biosphere (2013); and a monograph on Theoretical Geochemistry (2006). Fields of interest: Geochemistry, ecology, cryology, biogeochemistry, origin and evolution of the biosphere, ecological sustainability, ecosystem dynamics.

Lecture 1: Geochemistry tools, statistical geochemistry, equilibrium thermodynamics: phase diagrams, nonequilibrium thermodynamics, thermodynamic principles of evolution, laws of self-development Lecture 2: Cosmochemistry. The formation, composition, and structure of Earth Lecture 3: Geochemistry of elements Lecture 4: The evolution of Earth as a planet Lecture 5: Geochemistry of processes Lecture 6: Geochemistry of processes (continuation) Lecture 7: The biosphere Lecture 8: Environmental chemistry Lecture 9: Geochemistry of systems Lecture 10: A generalized model of Earth as a self-developing system