This online publication shows how chemists and geologists used analytical chemistry to determine the age of the Earth and to show that an extraterrestrial body collided with the Earth at the end of the Cretaceous period (K-T boundary). There are also chapters on the application of geochemistry to geologic processes (volcanoes, ore deposits, and others), its use in tracking environmental changes in ... Full description.

This collection of articles summarizes environmental geochemical studies of metallic mineral deposits in Alaska, including sulfide, gold, mercury, chromium, and uranium mines and deposits. The studies report metal and acid concentrations in samples collected around such mines and deposits, and evaluate environmental effects of the deposits. An introduction explains geochemical processes, how metals ... Full description.

This U.S. Geological Survey fact sheet investigates potential environmental contamination around naturally occurring, mercury-rich mineral deposits in Alaska. Testing of mercury levels in streams and sediments is described, as well as mercury levels in fish downstream from mines and the environmental effects of mercury entering the food chain. Full description.

This site contains a list of materials available for postal delivery, including: Icelandic basalt, Massachusetts marine sediment, Virginia diabase, Wyoming shale, etc. The size and content of each sample, descriptions of the location the reference material is taken from, and total element concentrations are given. Full description.

In this activity, students observe the process of mineral crystallization under a microscope and answer questions about what they see. Full description.

This activity has students explore the carbon cycle and learn to identify carbon sources, sinks, and release agents. They will come to understand that carbon is critical to the biosphere and must continue cycling to support life on earth. The instructor guide contains detailed background material, learning goals, alignment to national standards, grade level/time, details on materials and preparation, ... Full description.

This simple demonstration is about the role of dinosaurs in the carbon cycle and the eventual storage of excess carbon in the form of chalk. Students will come to understand the importance of the carbon cycle, appreciate that it has always been essential for life on earth, and appreciate the role of the oceans as a carbon sink. The instructor guide contains detailed background material, learning goals, ... Full description.

The aim of this activity is to introduce students to the common elements found in the Earth. Students study, compare and answer questions about graphs showing the elemental composition of the Earth's crust and of the aggregate composition of the compounds found in a typical school prep room. They will find that many of the elements already familiar to them may not be at all common in the Earth's crust ... Full description.

This video explores the role of biogeochemical cycles in the formation of caves. It discusses a radical new theory that identifies sulfuric acid as a cave-forming agent. The video, adapted from a NOVA broadcast, identifies the source of the sulfuric acid, which, unlike carbonic acid, the typical cave-forming agent, does not readily form in nature. The segment is 5 minutes and forty seconds in length. ... Full description.

This video documents an experiment conducted in Kane Cave, Wyoming, to see if microbes that inhabit the cave could actually be contributing to the cave-formation process. Adapted from a NOVA broadcast, the segment is four minutes and twelve seconds in length. Full description.