Includes a section on the geochemistry of planets and meteorities.

Geochemists, geologists, chemists, mathematicians, technicians and amateur prospectors alike will find this a practically oriented and comprehensive handbook for use in the field or office. It describes methodologies for assessing overburden in Arctic and temperate regions. Scientists can study the composition of bedrock by analyzing the overburden and ores found by the separation of the anomalies from the chemical background variation. This task is a very demanding one for previously glaciated terrain, where overburden consists totally of transported and mixed materials. It is possible to trace back the anomalies found in glacial till and sometimes those found in glacifluvial sediments. Special care in sampling and preparation of samples for analysis as well as very sensitive methods of analysis are necessary in obtaining results suitable for successful interpretation. The present handbook is dedicated to these vital problems. The genesis of overburden formations and the character of geochemical anomalies are discussed at length, after which examples are provided from a variety of situations. Articles concerning practical aspects of sampling, analysis and mathematical treatment, written specifically to help investigations are also included. The text is illustrated by 196 drawings, 32 tables and the selected bibliography contains 533 references. A key word list makes the handbook easy to use.

Developments in Economic Geology, 16: Geochemical Prospecting for Thorium and Uranium Deposits focuses on the analysis of various geochemical methods applicable in the search for all types of thorium and uranium deposits. The publication first ponders on the general chemistry and geochemistry of thorium and uranium, deposits of thorium and uranium and their indicator elements, and geochemical prospecting for thorium and uranium. Discussions focus on radiation surveys, selection of areas, primary mineralization, supergene oxidation, and secondary enrichment of endogenic thorium and uranium deposits, and equilibrium in the natural radioactive series. The book then ponders on lithochemical, pedochemical, hydrochemical, and biogeochemical surveys of the geochemical prospecting for thorium and uranium. Topics include heavy and light mineral surveys of stream, river, pond, and lake sediments, detailed litochemical surveys utilizing primary halos, and case histories. The text takes a look at sampling procedures and analytical methods for estimating thorium and uranium and miscellaneous methods and atmochemical surveys on the geochemical prospecting for thorium and uranium, including isotopic methods, remote sensing and geothermal methods, and liquid inclusion and thermoluminescent methods. The book is a valuable source of data for researchers wanting to explore geochemical prospecting for thorium and uranium deposits.

Biogeochemical Cycling of Mineral-Forming Elements