Preface
This book is based on the script of a lecture course in isotope geochemistry, which
is given at the University of Strasbourg, France and at the Eidgen6ssische
Tech nische Hochschule (ETH), Zurich, Switzerland by Peter Stille. It is intended
to be read by geologists, hydrologists, geochemists and any researchers and
students from the broad fieldof environmental science. Its purpose is to enable
readers to venture safely into the often mirky realms of radiogenic isotope
geochemistry' applied to sedimentary and aquatic systems. The authors have
strived to construct the book in such a way that it can be read and understood by
those readers, especially students, who have no background in geochemistry. 7
chapters.take the reader through the rock cycle from weathering on the continent
to eventual deposition in the sea, looked at largely from the perspective of
radiogenic isotope geochemistry.
Isotope geochemistry has become the most important field of speciality in
geochemistry and is being applied increasingly to the study of chemical processes
in natural water bodies, the atmosphere and to other aspects of our environment.
By integrating various isotope systems we can demonstrate that chemical
exchange or movement of material has taken place in, for example, waste dumps
or during natural sedimentation processes. (including weathering, erosion and
diagenesis) as a result of water-rock exchange. The study of isotope systems can
yield important information which allows us to determine the origin of migrating
Huid phases, the water-rock ratio necessary for such exchange and the
mechanisms which have led to the mobility of elements.
This book attempts to shed some light on the entire field of sedimentary isotope
geochemistry, including the isotope geochemistry of natural water bodies, and
objectively discusses important results of previous research in the various subfields. Readers are thus given the opportunity to critically assess this research,
allowing them to apply isotopes in their own particular fields. In order to do this,
we will deal especially with the geochemical and environmental questions which
can be and have been solved through the application of an isotopic study.
The sequence of chapters reflects the rock cycle. Weathering and erosion
contribute significantly to sediment formation and are discussed in chapter 2.
In chapter 3, the fluvial transport of these weathering products into the sea is
looked at in some detail. The rivers transport large quantities of chemical elements
This book is based on the script of a lecture course in isotope geochemistry, which
is given at the University of Strasbourg, France and at the Eidgen6ssische
Tech nische Hochschule (ETH), Zurich, Switzerland by Peter Stille. It is intended
to be read by geologists, hydrologists, geochemists and any researchers and
students from the broad fieldof environmental science. Its purpose is to enable
readers to venture safely into the often mirky realms of radiogenic isotope
geochemistry' applied to sedimentary and aquatic systems. The authors have
strived to construct the book in such a way that it can be read and understood by
those readers, especially students, who have no background in geochemistry. 7
chapters.take the reader through the rock cycle from weathering on the continent
to eventual deposition in the sea, looked at largely from the perspective of
radiogenic isotope geochemistry.
Isotope geochemistry has become the most important field of speciality in
geochemistry and is being applied increasingly to the study of chemical processes
in natural water bodies, the atmosphere and to other aspects of our environment.
By integrating various isotope systems we can demonstrate that chemical
exchange or movement of material has taken place in, for example, waste dumps
or during natural sedimentation processes. (including weathering, erosion and
diagenesis) as a result of water-rock exchange. The study of isotope systems can
yield important information which allows us to determine the origin of migrating
Huid phases, the water-rock ratio necessary for such exchange and the
mechanisms which have led to the mobility of elements.
This book attempts to shed some light on the entire field of sedimentary isotope
geochemistry, including the isotope geochemistry of natural water bodies, and
objectively discusses important results of previous research in the various subfields. Readers are thus given the opportunity to critically assess this research,
allowing them to apply isotopes in their own particular fields. In order to do this,
we will deal especially with the geochemical and environmental questions which
can be and have been solved through the application of an isotopic study.
The sequence of chapters reflects the rock cycle. Weathering and erosion
contribute significantly to sediment formation and are discussed in chapter 2.
In chapter 3, the fluvial transport of these weathering products into the sea is
looked at in some detail. The rivers transport large quantities of chemical elements