Geochemistry in Mineral Exploration

Abstract

The first edition of Geochemistry in Mineral Exploration, published by Harper and Row in 1962, was offered as an introduction to geochemistry as applied in exploration for solid minerals. It was addressed to four principal groups of readers: (i) to the student as an introductory textbook; (ii) to the practising exploration geochemist as a source book and reference to the literature; (iii) to the specialized research worker in allied fields, such as environmental or agricultural geochemistry; and (iv) to non-specialized earth scientists who want a source of general information on exploration geochemistry. The same may be said about this, the second edition. The present volume, however, differs from the first edition in a number of respects. Chemical principles, chemical equilibria, and chemical phenomena relevant to dispersion of elements are strongly emphasized, with the thought that an understanding of these principles will lead to valid new exploration methods and more accurate appraisal of exploration data. Two completely new chapters have been added, on vapor geochemistry and statistical methods. Most other chapters have been thoroughly revised and updated, based on the extensive literature published since the first edition. In particular, the previous single chapters on primary dispersion and on principles of secondary dispersion have each been enlarged into two chapters. Only brief discussions are offered of other fields of applied geochemistry, such as petroleum exploration, agriculture, public health, environmental problems, and forecasting of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.