Selected Resources for Teaching Geochemistry

Visit the tutorials on Teaching Phase Equilibria with coverage from the Gibbs Phase Rule through phase diagrams, fundamental thermodynamics, and modern thermodynamic modeling programs.

Our primers on Geochemical Instrumentation and Techniques will provide students with essential background information on modern analytical techniques--X-ray, e-beam, whole-rock, isotopic--to help them understand mineralogical/geochemical data, and the appropriate uses and limitations of these methods.

Elements (Major and Trace Elements)

• Major Element Control Presentation – Kurt Hollocher, Union College
• Igneous Rock Compositions and Plate Tectonics – Allen Glazner, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
• Rock Samples and Geochemistry Analyses – Mria de Lourdes de Silva Rosa and Debora Correia Rios, Bahia
• Compositional Diversity in Volcanic Suites – Kent Ratajeski, Montana State University
• Crystallization-Differentiation of Basaltic Magma – Kent Ratajeski, Montana State University
• Petrography and Petrogenesis of a Mid-Ocean Ridge Lava Suite – Matthew C. Smith and Michael R. Perfit, University of Florida
• Major Element Fractionation During Differentiation – Elizabeth King, Illinois State University
• REE Modeling of Melting and Crystallization – Mark Schmitz, Boise State University
• Chemical Differentiation in the Palisades Sill – Matthew Gorring, Montclair State University
• Variation Diagrams and the Evolution of Thingmuli Lavs, Iceland – Jeff Tepper, University of Puget Sound
• Graphing Chemical Data to Identify Fractional Crystallization – John Brady, Smith College
• Differentiation and Discrimination of Big Bend Ranch State Park Igneous Rocks – Linda Lee Davis, Northern Illinois University
• Magma Modification in the central Sierra Nevada Batholith – Jennifer Wenner, University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh
• Zoned Plagioclase Exercise – R.K. Smith, University of Texas at San Antonio
• Homework on Volcanic Rock Chemistry and Binary Phase Diagram – Jane Selverstone, University of New Mexico

Phase Equilibria/Thermodynamics

• Introduction to Equilibrium Thermodynamics: Salt Dissolution - Andrew Knudsen, Lawrence University
• Learning Thermodynamics and Using Spreadsheets - Sumit Chakraborty and Somnath Dasgupta, Institut fuer Geologie Mineralogie and Geophysik and Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India
• Problem Set: Constructing Metamorphic Phase Diagrams Using Phase Equilibria and the Clausius-Clapeyron – Mark Brandriss, Smith College
• Calculating a Simple Phase Diagram: Diamond=Graphite – Dexter Perkins, University of North Dakota
• Quiz and In-Class Worksheet - Karen Hudson-Edwards, University of London



Access tutorials on phase equilibria and phase diagrams. These modules provide an explanation of the fundamental concepts, worked examples, and links to related resources for further exploration. Topics range from Gibbs' Phase Rule to modern thermodynamic modeling programs (TWQ, PERPLEX, ThermoCalc, MELTS). These tutorials were developed for the Integrating Research and Education project (NSF 03-06708).


• Phase Rule - David W. Mogk, Montana State University
• Phase Diagrams (and Pseudosections) - Compiled by Dexter Perkins (University of North Dakota) and John Brady (Smith College)
  • Binary Phase Diagrams
  • Ternary Phase Diagrams
  • Metamorphic P-T Diagrams
  • Metamorphic T-X Diagrams
  • Other Phase Diagrams
• What are Pseudosections? - Dave Hirsch, Western Washington University, Julie Baldwin, University of Montana, and Dexter Perkins, University of North Dakota
• Plotting Mineral Compositions and Chemographic Projections - John Brady (Smith College) and Cam Davidson (Carleton College)
• Thermodynamics - Dexter Perkins (University of North Dakota), Andrea Koziol (University of Dayton), John Brady (Smith College)
  • Gibbs Free Energy and other Thermodynamic Functions - Dexter Perkins (University of North Dakota), Andrea Koziol (University of Dayton), John Brady (Smith College)
  • Fundamental Thermodynamic Calculations - Dexter Perkins (University of North Dakota), Andrea Koziol (University of Dayton), John Brady (Smith College)
• Clapeyron Equation - Andrea Koziol (University of Dayton) and Dexter Perkins (University of North Dakota)
• Different Kinds of Reactions - Dave Hirsch, Western Washington University
• Deriving and Balancing Metamorphic Reactions - Dexter Perkins (University of North Dakota)
• Schreinemakers Method - Dexter Perkins, University of North Dakota and Dave Mogk, Montana State University
• Experimental Petrology - Andrea Koziol, University of Dayton; Dex Perkins, University of North Dakota; John Brady, Smith College
  • Experimental Petrology Machines - Andrea Koziol, University of Dayton
• Mineral Formulae Recalculation - John Brady, Smith College and Dexter Perkins, University of North Dakota
• Activity Models - Dex Perkins, University of North Dakota; Andrea Koziol, University of Dayton; and Dave Mogk, Montana State University
• "Classical" Thermobarometry - Donna Whitney, University of Minnesota
• P-T-t Paths - Donna Whitney, University of Minnesota
• Advanced Modeling Programs
  • MELTS - Karl Wirth, Macalester College and Rachel Teasdale, California State University, Chico
  • Perplex - Dave Hirsch, Western Washington University
  • THERMOCALC - Julie Baldwin, University of Montana; Dexter Perkins, University of North Dakota; and Dave Mogk, Montana State University
  • TWQ - Cameron Davidson, Carleton College



Radioisotopes

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• Application of Sr Isotopic Data to Tuolumne Intrusive Series, Sierra Nevada, CA – Jeff Tepper, University of Puget Sound
• Rb-Sr Isotope In-Class Exercise – Allen Glazner, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill



Stable Isotopes

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• Teaching Stable Isotope Geochemistry in an Undergraduate Petrology or Geochemistry Course – Steve Dunn, Mount Holyoke College
• Batch and Rayleigh Decarbonation Modeling of d¹³C – Jade Star Lackey, University of Wisconsin
• Calculating Rb-Sr Isochrons - Andy Barth, Indiana University~Purdue University, Indianapolis



Aqueous Solutions

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• Weathering of Igneous Metamorphic, and Sedimentary Rocks – Wendy J. Harrison and Richard F. Wendlandt, Colorado School of Mines
• Relationship Between Mineral Wethering and Groundwater Composition – Nancy Hinman, University of Montana
• Timing of mineralization in the palm of your hand: Cross-cutting relations, copper minerals and ore-forming hydrothermal fluid evolution – Barbara Dutrow, Louisiana State University
• Nitrous Oxide Transport and Transformation - Pierre-Andre Jacinthe, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
• Acid Mine Drainage Field-Lab Experience Round 1 – Greg Druschel, University of Vermont
• Geochemistry All Around Us – Andrew Knudsen, Lawrence University
• Introduction to Equilibrium Thermodynamics: Salt Dissolution - Andrew Knudsen, Lawrence University



Acid/Base Reactions

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We need to build the collections of teaching activities in this area--problem sets, lab exercises, and other class activities. Please contribute any teaching activities you've developed for your own courses by using our Contribute an Activity form. Simply provide the contextual information requested on the form, and then upload your files of course activities.




Oxidation/Reduction Reactions

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• Nitrous Oxide Transport and Transformation – Pierre-Andre Jacinthe, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
• Acid Mine Drainage Field-Lab Experience Round 1 – Greg Druschel, University of Vermont.
We need to build the collections of teaching activities in this area--problem sets, lab exercises, and other class activities. Please contribute any teaching activities you've developed for your own courses by using our Contribute an Activity form. Simply provide the contextual information requested on the form, and then upload your files of course activities.


Organic and Biochemistry

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• Upper Hudson Dredging Debate – Jeff Chiarenzelli, State University of New York at Potsdam
We need to build the collections of teaching activities in this area--problem sets, lab exercises, and other class activities. Please contribute any teaching activities you've developed for your own courses by using our Contribute an Activity form. Simply provide the contextual information requested on the form, and then upload your files of course activities.


Surface Chemistry (sorption, catalysis)

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We need to build the collections of teaching activities in this area--problem sets, lab exercises, and other class activities. Please contribute any teaching activities you've developed for your own courses by using our Contribute an Activity form. Simply provide the contextual information requested on the form, and then upload your files of course activities.




Reaction Kinetics/Rates

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• Exercises in the Geochemical Kinetics of Mineral-Water Reactions: The Rate Law and Rate Determining Step in the Dissolution of Halite -- Michael A. Velbel, Michigan State University
We need to build the collections of teaching activities in this area--problem sets, lab exercises, and other class activities. Please contribute any teaching activities you've developed for your own courses by using our Contribute an Activity form. Simply provide the contextual information requested on the form, and then upload your files of course activities.




Environmental Geochemistry

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• Geochemical Debates - Nancy Hinman, University of Montana
• Upper Hudson Dredging Debate – Jeff Chiarenzelli, State University of New York at Potsdam
• Acid Mine Drainage Field-Lab Experience Round 1 – Greg Druschel, University of Vermont
• Geochemistry All Around Us – Andrew Knudsen, Lawrence University
We need to build the collections of teaching activities in this area--problem sets, lab exercises, and other class activities. Please contribute any teaching activities you've developed for your own courses by using our Contribute an Activity form. Simply provide the contextual information requested on the form, and then upload your files of course activities.


Geochemical Analysis

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• Extending Mineralogy by Electron Microprobe Analysis – John Goodge, University of Minnesota, Duluth
• Working with Electron Microprobe Data from a High Pressure Experiment – Calculating Mineral Formulas, Unit Cell Content, and Geothermometry – Brandon Schwab, Humboldt State University
• Pet Rock Project: A Semester-Long Exercise for Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology – Darrell J. Henry, Louisiana State University
• Calculating Compositional Variation and Common Substitutions for Igneous and Metamorphic Minerals – Dave Mogk, Montana State University
• Integrating Research Methods into Geochemistry Using Local Resources – Jeanette Pope, DePauw University
Browse this collection of tutorials on Geochemical Instrumentation and Techniques. You will find information on X-ray Diffraction (single crystal and powder), SEM, EMPA, EDS, WDS, BSE, CL, XRF, INAA, TIMS, SIMS, MC-ICPMS, Gas Source Mass Spectrometry, X-ray CT, ToF-SIMS, Mossbauer, and environmental sampling and analysis, biogeochemistry techniques, and genomics and cell staining techniques.