Other Approaches to Environmental Geochemistry

Abstract

It is significant that prior to the late 1970s, introductory texts in geochemistry omitted any reference to “environmental geochemistry” even though during the past twenty years the study of the geochemistry of the environment has become of major concern to the scientific community as a whole. For example, the chapter entitled “Objectives and History of Geochemistry” in the introductory text by Wedepohl (1971) includes no reference to environmental geochemistry or to exploration geochemistry. Other scientists have also remarked on the lack of formal interest by geochemists in environmental geochemistry. For example, in a preface to the published proceedings of a symposium held at the 162nd meeting of the American Chemical Society in Washington, D.C., on September 15, 1971, Kothny (1973) stated:

This volume represents perhaps the first effort to fit geochemistry into environmental science. In studying environmental geochemistry we gain insight into the origin, transition and concentration of a particular element. Also we may assess the real impact of man-made alterations in natural environments. In fact, the natural cycle of a few elements is altered in smaller environments, but given enough time, they are incorporated back into the whole terrestial cycle. As the result of this alteration, anomalous metallic concentrations are discovered near cities, freeways, smelters, power plants and industrial plants. (p. vii)

“We have seen how unreliable an observer’s report of a complex situation often is. Indeed, it is very difficult to observe and describe accurately even simple phenomena.”

W. I. B. Beverage, “The Art of Scientific Investigation” (New York: Vintage Books, 1957), p. 136.