This extensively updated new edition of the widely acclaimed Treatise on Geochemistry has increased its coverage beyond the wide range of geochemical subject areas in the first edition, with five new volumes which include: the history of the atmosphere, geochemistry of mineral deposits, archaeology and anthropology, organic geochemistry and analytical geochemistry. In addition, the original Volume 1 on "Meteorites, Comets, and Planets" was expanded into two separate volumes dealing with meteorites and planets, respectively. These additions increased the number of volumes in the Treatise from 9 to 15 with the index/appendices volume remaining as the last volume (Volume 16). Each of the original volumes was scrutinized by the appropriate volume editors, with respect to necessary revisions as well as additions and deletions. As a result, 27% were republished without major changes, 66% were revised and 126 new chapters were added. In a many-faceted field such as Geochemistry, explaining and understanding how one sub-field relates to another is key. Instructors will find the complete overviews with extensive cross-referencing useful additions to their course packs and students will benefit from the contextual organization of the subject matter Six new volumes added and 66% updated from 1st edition. The Editors of this work have taken every measure to include the many suggestions received from readers and ensure comprehensiveness of coverage and added value in this 2nd edition The esteemed Board of Volume Editors and Editors-in-Chief worked cohesively to ensure a uniform and consistent approach to the content, which is an amazing accomplishment for a 15-volume work (16 volumes including index volume)!

Gold occurs in many settings, but the dynamic nature of Earth’s crust means overlapping and overprinting deposit styles are common. Characterization of mineralization from an early stage becomes important, particularly where the mineralization is complex, in order to maximize exploration and project development success and mining productivity. Various techniques are used at different stages of a project to characterize gold deposits. This Special Publication offers a cross-section of some specific techniques used to investigate a variety of gold deposit types. The papers highlight both the breadth of the available techniques and their utility in deposit characterization, but also the many significant remaining questions and problems related to the exploration and research of gold deposits. Several papers include suggestions of avenues for fruitful further research, including a paper discussing a new approach to classifying orogenic gold deposits, and a paper describing archaeological applications of natural gold analyses.

Stable Isotope Geochemistry is an introduction to the use of stable isotopes in the geosciences. It is subdivided into three parts: theoretical and experimental principles; fractionation processes of light and heavy elements; the natural variations of geologically important reservoirs. Since the application of stable isotopes to earth sciences has grown in the last few years, a new edition appears necessary. Recent progress in analysing the rare isotopes of certain elements for instance allow the distinction between mass-dependent and mass-independent fractionations. Special emphasis has been given to the growing field of "heavy" elements. Many new references have been added, which will enable quick access to recent literature. For students and scientists alike the book will be a primary source of information with regard to how and where stable isotopes can be used to solve geological problems.

Volume 86 of Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry concentrates on understanding the variations among ratios of the three isotopes of oxygen, with primary emphasis on terrestrial systems. Triple oxygen isotope variations may be related to large, mass-independent fractionation effects such observed in the Earth atmosphere or may be small and related to minute variations due to purely mass-dependent processes. Recent advancements in analytical resolution now allow for the identification of processes and distinct reservoirs that were formerly hidden in the paradigm of a "single terrestrial fractionation line". New, high-resolution measurements are accompanied by advances in theoretical calculations that dovetail with empirical calibrations and applications throughout this volume. 14 chapters span a wide range of subjects: from ab-initio theoretical approaches to observation of triple oxygen isotope variations in the Earth litho-, hydro- and atmosphere.

Sandstones form the backdrop to some of the world's most spectacular scenery, and are found all over the planet and in all climates. Following on from the authors' successful 1992 book, this is the only volume that considers sandstone landforms from a truly global perspective. It describes the wide variety of landforms that are found in sandstone, and discusses the role of lithological variation, chemical weathering and erosional processes in creating these features, with examples drawn from around the world. Climatic and tectonic constraints on the development of sandstone landscapes are also considered. This volume provides a comprehensive assessment of the literature from publications in a range of languages, and is illustrated with over 130 photographs of sandstone features from every continent. It presents a holistic account of sandstone terrain for researchers and graduate students in a variety of fields including geography, geomorphology, sedimentology and geomechanics.

Diagenesis in sediments and sedimentary rocks