The University of British Columbia

Course Description

Application of chemical thermodynamics to problem solving in the earth sciences. Geochemical tools are developed for: low-T aqueous geochemistry, high-T, high-P processes in the lithosphere, ore-deposit formation, and for prediction of geochemical reaction rates in all environments.

UBC Calendar

For a full listing of course offerings please see the UBC calendar description

Learning Goals

under development

Instructors

Kelly Russell

krussell@eos.ubc.ca

Textbook

G. M. Anderson

Thermodynamics of Natural Systems (2nd Edition)

Hardback (Cambridge Press)

(ISBN-13: 9780521847728 | ISBN-10: 0521847729)

DOI: 10.2277/0521847729

Course Content

Course Objectives: To establish rules that govern the chemical behaviour of geological systems. Prerequisites are Mineralogy (EOSC 220) and Physical chemistry (CHEM 208, 205). The main purpose of the course is to use your background in mineralogy and physical chemistry and develop methods for solving geochemical problems in mineralogy, aqueous geochemistry, and petrology (igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary). The course is computational (MATLAB) and we will use the computer laboratory extensively for solving physical chemistry problem sets.

Lecture Topics

Weekly Lecture Topic: (Subject to Modification)
1 Introduction to Course & Computer Accounts
2 Geochemical Systems
3 Thermodynamics (1st, 2nd, 3rd laws)
4 Gibbs Free Energy
5 S, V, H, G
6 Mid-Term Exam
7 Gibbs Free Energy in T-P space
8 Models for Activity (Solids, Gases & Solutions)
9 Geothermobarometry
10 Log activity diagrams
11 Log K and T, P & fO2-pH diagrams
12 Mineral Saturation Calculations [TBA]
13 Kinetics in Natural Systems

Labs

Laboratory Exercises
Problem Set 1: Introductory computer skills / basic chemical calculations
Problem Set 2: Geochemistry of mineral solid solutions
Problem Set 3: Systems, components, phases, phase rule
Problem Set 4: Introductory Gibbs free energy calculations
Problem Set 5: Computation of P-T diagrams from Gibbs free energy
Problem Set 7: Equilibrium constant and activity-activity phase diagrams
Problem Set 8: Equilibrium Constant & T(K)
Problem Set 9: Chapter 10: Minerals and Solutions
Problem Set 10: Chapter 12: Reaction Kinetics