Geochemistry
Geochemistry is an important and growing discipline which applies chemical principles to the natural environment.
Geochemistry is an essential part of many scientific investigations, including:
-
environmental science - groundwater evaluation and management
- hydrology
- mineral exploration
- mining
- volcanology
Geochemical Research
The Department of Geology at the University of Otago has a long and successful history in geochemical research and the current mix of staff ensures that geochemistry remains an important and dynamic part of our research.
Many of our staff members have strengths in different aspects, including isotope, trace element, igneous, metamorphic and environmental geochemistry, and each year we have several postgraduate students working on geochemical problems. We have a great deal of research equipment and facilities available for staff, students and research collaborators.
Projects with detailed information available on our website include:
- Metals in the environment: arsenic, antimony, mercury, and more, including acid mine drainage
- Biogeochemical cycles, radiogenic isotope and trace element geochemistry
- Paleoceanography, palaeoclimatology, Antarctic ice record, and more
- Sutton Salt Lake, Otago
If you are interested in studying geochemistry at the University of Otago see our geochemistry courses page. See also the Information for prospective students section.
We host the website for the New Zealand Geochemical Society.
For more information about geochemistry please contact Prof. Dave Craw.
For details about our other research take a look at our research section.