GEOCHEM

For geological and geochemical earthquake forerunners the variations of radon content in underground waters are used. The radon content dispersion systematically increases before the earthquake. 

In the geochemistry of fluorine, the close match in the ionic radii of fluoride (0.136 nm), hydroxide (0.140 nm), and oxide ion (0.140 nm) allows a sequential replacement of oxygen by fluorine in a wide variety of minerals. This accounts for the wide dissemination of the element in nature. The ready formation of volatile silicon tetrafluoride, the pyrohydrolysis of fluorides to hydrogen fluoride, and the low solubility of calcium fluoride and of calcium fluorophosphates, have provided a geochemical cycle in which fluorine may be stripped from solution by limestone and by apatite to form the deposits of fluorspar and of phosphate rock (fluoroapatite [1306-01 -0]) approximately CaF2 3Ca2(P0 2 which ate the world s main resources of fluorine (1). 

Analytical standards imply the existence of a reference material and a recommended test method. Analytical standards other than for fine chemicals and for the NIST series of SRMs have been reviewed (6). Another sphere of activity ia analytical standards is the geochemical reference standards maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey and by analogous groups ia France, Canada, Japan, South Africa, and Germany (7). 

Geochemical Nature and Types of Deposits. The cmst of the earth contains approximately 2—3 ppm uranium. AlkaHc igneous rock tends to be more uraniferous than basic and ferromagnesian igneous rocks (10). Elemental uranium oxidizes readily. The solubiHty and distribution of uranium in rocks and ore deposits depend primarily on valence state. The hexavalent uranium ion is highly soluble, the tetravalent ion relatively insoluble. Uraninite, the most common mineral in uranium deposits, contains the tetravalent ion (II). 

Continental Shelf. Most consohdated mineral deposits found on the continental shelf are identical to those found on land and are only fortuitously submerged. Exceptions include those laid down in shallow marine seas or basins in earlier geochemical environments such as bedded ironstones, limestones, potash, and phosphorites. 

Miscellaneous. Iridium dioxide, like RUO2, is useful as an electrode material for dimensionally stable anodes (DSA) (189). SoHd-state pH sensors employing Ir02 electrode material are considered promising for measuring pH of geochemical fluids in nuclear waste repository sites (190). Thin films (qv) ofIr02 ate stable electrochromic materials (191). 

R. PeUenbarg, A. C. SigHo, and A. Hattori, Marine Estuarine Geochem., Proc. Symp., 121 (1985). 

Geo/Chem AC-400 Chemical Grout," undated product bulletin. Geochemical Corp., Ridgewood, N.J. 

Subgroup on Metals of the Tri-Academj Committee on Acid Deposition, Acid Deposition Effects on Geochemical Cjcling and Biological Availability of Trace Elements, National Academy Press, Washington, D.C., 1985. 

Geochemical studies of sulfate ia streams have beea approached ia various ways. For example. Ref. 17 is a review of Hterature oa sources of sulfate ia the dissolved loads of streams, especially ia areas where developmeat effects are likely to be stroag. It was coacluded that for North America as much as 60% of the average yield of sulfate carried to the ocean is related to human activities. This study assigned a higher proportion of the total yield of sulfate ia European streams to human sources, but for other continents it was thought the effects of human activities to be relatively minor. 

Sulfate concentration in streams and changes over time are discussed later in this article as one of the principal indices of human influences on stream water composition. Also, it will be shown that differences and similarities ia sulfate yields help in attaining a reasonable perspective on the importance of various hydrologic and geochemical characteristics of individual drainage systems. 

Fig. 8. Steady-state model for the earth s surface geochemical system. The kiteraction of water with rocks ki the presence of photosynthesized organic matter contkiuously produces reactive material of high surface area. This process provides nutrient supply to the biosphere and, along with biota, forms the array of small particles (sods). Weatheriag imparts solutes to the water, and erosion brings particles kito surface waters and oceans.

The classical geochemical material balance (12) assumes that the balance and the electron balance (oxidation state) ki our environment have been estabhshed globally by the kiteraction of primary (igneous) rocks with volatile substances (Table 7). 

E. K. Berner and R. A. Berner, Global Environment Water, Air, and Geochemical Cycles, Prentice Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, N.J., 1996. 

The determination of cesium in minerals can be accompHshed by x-ray fluorescence spectrometry or for low ranges associated with geochemical exploration, by atomic absorption, using comparative standards. For low levels of cesium in medical research, the proton induced x-ray emission technique has been developed (40). 

Geochemical Stage. The conversion of peat to bituminous coal is the result of the cumulative effects of temperature and pressure over a long time. The sediment covering the peat provides the pressure and insulation so that the earth s internal heat can be appUed to the conversion. The temperature increase is about 4 to 8°C for each 100 m of depth. The changes in plant matter are termed normal coalification. 

The global geochemical background and enormous industrial environmental pollution have increased, thus, there are all the bases to speak about the beginning of biogeochemical formation development which has a direct influence on the ecological system condition in general as well as on the population health. 

---