Radiogenic Isotope Geochemistry

A Guide for Industry Professionals

Bruce F. Schaefer

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Year: 2016
• Print ISBN: 9781107039582
• eBook ISBN: 9781316655474
• Topic: Physical Sciences
• Subtopic: Geology & Earth Sciences

Isotopes provide important information on many geological processes, with key relevance to the mining and petroleum industries, yet the techniques to obtain, process and interpret the data can be complex to master. This accessible book provides broad coverage of radiogenic isotopes in geochronology and geochemistry, explaining the basic principles and state-of-the-art techniques used to study them, with an emphasis on industry applications. The major isotopic systems are fully summarised with relation to real-world applications, enabling readers to decide which technique is most relevant for the problem they want to solve, and then to rigorously evaluate existing data, or recalculate and reassess datasets to avoid duplication of effort. A comprehensive glossary clarifies the numerous acronyms used in the field. Written at a level appropriate for advanced undergraduate students, the book also includes detail which allows more experienced practitioners to maximise the potential value of isotopic datasets.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half-title page
• Title page
• Copyright page
• Dedication
• Contents
• Preface
• Acknowledgements
• Abbreviations and symbols
• Part One ‘How’: isotopes and how they are measured
• Part Two ‘When’: geological time, ages and rates of geological phenomena
• Part Three ‘Where’: tracking the course of material through the earth
• Appendix 1 Conversion between wt% oxide and ppm
• Appendix 2 Isotopic abundances
• Appendix 3 Periodic table of elements
• Glossary
• Further reading
• Index