To get knowledge of the abundance of the elements in the earth and of
processes that govern their mobility in superficial geochemical spheres.
Acquisition by the students of the basics to address more specific
geochemical issues in advanced study programs.
D1 - Knowledge and understanding:
At the end of the course, the student must know the basic principles of
geochemistry in relation to the main geochemical spheres and the
geochemistry of stable isotopes.
D2 - Applying knowledge and understanding:
The student must be able to understand and explain the basic
geochemical processes that affect rock, soil, water and air matrices.
D3 - Making judgment
The student must be able to apply the basic principles of geochemistry in
the interpretation of real data.
D4 - Communication skills:
At the end of the course the student must be able to describe the main
geochemical processes with language properties.
D5 - Learning skills:
Acquire the basis for the student to address more specific geochemical
issues in advanced study courses.

Basic chemistry; it is adviced to have completed Mineralogy and
Petrography.

Principles of geochemistry:
Part 1 - Lithosphere
- Natural abundance of the elements
- Distribution of the elements on the earth
- Chemical and mineralogical composition of the earth's crust
Pedosphere: Physico-chemical characteristics, pedogenetic processes;
role of humic substances in the diffusion of metals; bioaccumulation of
trace metals in plant species on contaminated soils (examples)
Part 2 - Hydrosphere
Oceans: stratification and circulation, chemical composition and removal
processes.
Continental waters: chemical composition, chemical alteration, solubility
equilibrium, mineral dissolution; sampling methods, determination of the
main chemical-physical parameters; classification of natural waters,
graphical representation and relative interpretation (with exercises);
Italian mineral waters (case study).
Part 3 - Atmosphere
Origin and evolution; Composition and structure; Ozone layer; Air
pollution
Part 4 - Biosphere
The cycle of Carbon, Nitrogen and Phosphorus
Part 5 - Geochemistry of trace metals
Sources and origin of metals; metal mobility in the surface environment;
bioaccumulation and impact on living ecosystems; natural background
values, geochemical anomalies and contamination (case studies);
analytical techniques
Part 6 - Isotope geochemistry
Stable isotopes, measurement techniques, reference standards,
fractionation factors
Isotopes of Oxygen, Carbon, Hydrogen and their applications to the Earth
Sciences.
Radioactive isotopes: processes of radioactive decay and law of decay.
Notes on the application of radiochemical methods (14C, Tritium).

Students are provided with a copy of the Powerpoint presentations
projected in the classroom on request, while the following specific texts
are available for consultation with the teacher:
Geochimica e Ambiente – Dongarrà e Varrica 2008, EdiSES Srl Napoli
Geochimica Ambientale - De Vivo B., Lima A., Siegel F.R. 2004. , Liguori
Editore
Elementi e Metodi di Geochimica Ambientale – De Vivo B. 2002, Liguori
Editore
Geochemistry, groundwater and pollution - CAJ Appelo and D Postma
2007, Balkema
Introduzione alla Geochimica – A. Longinelli, S. Deganello, UTET Torino

The surface geochemical spheres: Lithosphere (natural elements
abundance, distribution of elements on earth, chemical and mineralogical
composition of the earth's crust, physical-chemical characteristics of
pedosphere, pedogenesis processes, role of organic matter,
bioaccumulation of metals in plant species and on contaminated soils;
hydrosphere (oceanic waters: stratification and circulation, chemical
composition and removal processes, continental waters: chemical
composition, chemical alteration, solubility balance, mineral dissolution,
sampling methods, determination of the main chemical-physical
parameters; Natural and artificial waters, graphical representation and
relative interpretation (with exercises), case studies. Biosphere (the
Carbon, Nitrogen and Phosphorus cycles). Atmosphere (origin and
evolution, composition and structure, ozonosphere, atmospheric
pollution). Geochemistry of trace metals (sources, mobility of metals in
the environment, natural background values, geochemical anomalies and
contamination (case studies), bioaccumulation and impact on living
ecosystems, analytical techniques). Isotopic Geochemistry (Stable
Isotopes, Measurement Techniques, Standard, Partitioning Factors,
Oxygen Isotopes, Carbon, Hydrogen and their application to Earth
Sciences, Radioactive Isotopes: Radioactive Decay and Decay Law,
Conditions for Application Of radiochemical methods such as radiocarbon and Tritium).

Lectures in the classroom with Power Point presentations full of examples
on each topic. One day of excursion at the mercury mine in Idria
(Slovenia) is planned. Seminars of invitated teachers and researchers are
also proposed.

The teacher is available for supplementary explanation on the course
programme by appointment.

The exam is written and a series of questions are posed about the
programme treated in the classroom. Exercises similar to those shown in
classroom can also be included.