GS Statement on Ukraine Crisis
March 10, 2022
The Geochemical Society condemns the war, violence, and the loss of civilian life in Ukraine. We stand by the country's citizens and our Ukranian colleagues and their families who are affected. Our greatest desire is for peace and an end to the suffering and displacement caused by this crisis.
While issues of survival are taking precedence for many people, the work of science also continues, so we offer these resources as a small contribution to cooperation and goodwill. To the extent it is possible for scientists in Ukraine to participate in a conference, the EAG and GS will offer free participation for them at the upcoming 2022 Goldschmidt Conference.
A growing list of research institutions in Europe and elsewhere are offering to host refugee scientists through a community initiative. Learn more
Heavy Stable Isotopes: From Crystals to Planets
March 03, 2022
Stable isotopes are formidable tracers of physicochemical processes at all scales. Steady advances in mass spectrometry have allowed isotopic inquiries to move from the so-called “traditional” systems (i.e., H, C, N, O, and S) to heavier “nontraditional” systems (e.g., Fe, Mo, Ti, Zr, U) whose diverse geochemical characteristics are providing novel and complementary insights. Moving from micron-size systems (single crystals) to planetary-size bodies, the articles in this issue explore the enormous range of temporal and physical scales over which heavy stable isotopes have provided paradigm-shifting insights into the evolution of our planet and solar system. Also highlighted are new frontiers where novel stable isotope systematics appear particularly promising for unraveling long-standing questions. Current Geochemical Society members can access this issue now via the Elements website using your email address (UserID) and member number (Password).
Marilyn L. Fogel Named 2022 V. M. Goldschmidt Medalist
February 14, 2022
Marilyn L. Fogel, Professor Emerita at the University of California, Riverside (USA), will receive the 2022 Victor M. Goldschmidt Award. The Goldschmidt Award is the society's highest honor, presented annually for major achievements in geochemistry over a career. Dr. Fogel revolutionized the use of stable isotopes in ecology, geochemistry, and cosmochemistry. Her research ranges from stable isotope fractionation in photosynthesis, to tracking the anthropogenic impact of the colonization of Australia, to the understanding of cosmochemical processes in meteorites.
Yige Zhang Named 2022 F.W. Clarke Medalist
February 14, 2022
Yige Zhang, Assistant Professor at Texas A&M University (USA), will receive the 2022 F.W. Clarke Award this July. The Clarke Award recognizes an early-career scientist for a single outstanding contribution to geochemistry or cosmochemistry published either as a single paper or a series of papers on a single topic. Dr. Zhang is recognized for his contributions to the application and refinement of lipid biomarker proxies for paleotemperature and atmospheric CO2 reconstructions, including development of the "Methane Index" and "Ring Index".
Xiangdong Li Named 2022 C.C. Patterson Medalist
February 14, 2022
Xiangdong Li will receive the 2022 Clair C. Patterson Award, which recognizes an innovative breakthrough of fundamental significance in environmental geochemistry, particularly in service of society, consisting of either a single outstanding contribution or a short series of papers published within the last decade. Prof. Li holds the positions of Dean of Faculty of Construction and Environment, Director of Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development, Chair Professor of Environmental Science and Technology, and Ko Jan Ming Professor in Sustainable Urban Development at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. He is recognized for his innovative and dynamic work in environmental biogeochemistry, including research in the fields of regional contamination, urban air PM2.5 pollution, and the origin and dissemination of antimicrobial resistance.
Elements: Carbonatites
February 08, 2022
Carbonatites are rare, but important, igneous rocks in the Earth’s crust. They are composed of Ca, Mg, and Fe carbonates, along with many minor and trace components. The majority of the world’s rare earth elements—which are essential for high-tech devices—are associated with carbonatites. This issue explores how carbonatites form and evolve in the mantle or crust, the temporal and tectonic controls on their formation, why they are enriched in rare earth elements, and their economic significance.
Current Geochemical Society members can access this issue now via the Elements website using your email address (UserID) and member number (Password).
Remembering William “Bill” Reeburgh (1940-2021)
December 15, 2021
Professor William S. Reeburgh, known to friends and colleagues as Bill, died in July. He was a Geochemistry Fellow and active supporter of the Geochemical Society for many years. He and his wife, Carelyn, established the Endowed Biogeochemistry Lecture in 2016 and it is now an important part of the annual Goldschmidt Conference.
Born in 1940 in Port Arthur, Texas, Bill received his B.S. in chemistry from the University of Oklahoma and a Ph.D. in oceanography from Johns Hopkins University. He was professor and chair of Marine Science at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks for many years. In 1993, he moved to the University of California, Irvine as a founding professor of the university's Department of Earth System Science.
According to a press release from UCI:
"Bill Reeburgh's research contributed enormously to our understanding of the global methane cycle, and it was once said that he was to methane what Dave Keeling was to CO2. He recognized that methane entering the atmosphere and oceans represents the small imbalance between very large methane production and oxidation sinks resulting from microbial activity in sediments and soils. He demonstrated an important new sink mechanism for methane in oxygen-free environments, but had to convince skeptical microbiologists, as no microbe had then been discovered with this metabolism. To do this, Bill used what he called "the 3R's" – documenting routes, reactions and rates by combining tools ranging from sediment reaction-diffusion modeling, isotope labeling and stable isotope distributions to build an incontrovertible case. Many of the measurements came from favorite field sites in Skan Bay, Alaska and the Black Sea."
His important contributions to the fields of biogeochemistry and global elemental cycling were recognized by the GS and EAG in 2018 when Bill was named a Geochemistry Fellow. He was also a fellow of the American Geophysical Union, the American Academy of Microbiology and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Bill and Carelyn were married for 54 years and raised three children together. On retiring from UCI, Bill moved to Vancouver, Washington where he enjoyed woodworking, spending time with his six grandchildren, and serving on various scientific advisory committees, including the GS Strategic Planning Committee.
Bill will be missed by his many friends and colleagues in the Geochemical Society. But his and Carelyn's generosity will be felt long into the future as the Endowed Biogeochemistry Lecture continues to recognize innovative science in this field.
The Geochemical Society has planted a tree in memory of Bill Reeburgh. You can also plant a tree in his name.
Source:
Remembering Professor William "Bill" S. Reeburgh - UCI Physical Sciences Communications
Remembering Frederick A. Frey (1938-2021)
October 11, 2021
Fred Frey passed away on September 13, 2021 at 83 years of age. For over 50 years, Fred worked to build our understanding of the chemical composition of the Earth’s upper mantle and the generation of magma through mantle partial melting. He sought to understand the processes that lead to the diverse trace element and isotopic compositions of mantle rocks and mantle-derived magmas. Fred’s research was unique in that it encompassed two approaches to this understanding: direct study of mantle xenoliths and tectonically emplaced mantle rocks and the complementary study of magmas generated in different tectonic settings - at mid ocean ridges, oceanic islands, and subduction zones.
Exploring Earth and Planetary Materials with Neutrons
September 23, 2021
For over half a century, the structural details and the dynamics of atomic arrangements in materials have been determined using neutron-based scattering and absorption measurements. Neutron scattering experiments have contributed valuable information on geological materials and how these interact with fluids. In situ studies of transformations and fundamental properties can emulate diverse environments from Earth’s surface to its deep interior. Potential growth of the “neutron community” is being realized with the development of new and improved neutron sources. This issue will familiarize the reader with the basic concepts of neutron scattering, the methods that are available to Earth scientists, provide a summary of facilities around the world, and give key applications of the technique.
Current Geochemical Society members can access this issue now via the Elements website using your email address (UserID) and member number (Password).
Recognizing a Broader Spectrum of Achievement
July 29, 2021
Excellence in geochemistry can be defined in many ways. Of course, this includes publication of novel discoveries, but it also includes teaching, capacity building, influencing policy making, science communication, and much more. Recognizing this, the Geochemical Society has broadened the definition of excellence we use in many of our award criteria.
The GS is also committed to increasing diversity in geochemistry and among its formally recognized inspirational and prominent figures. We seek to promote and encourage diversity and inclusion while furthering equity, a true sense of belonging, and success for all people. In particular, the society is keen to encourage talented researchers from underrepresented groups to serve as nominators and to be nominated for society awards.
Everyone in the geochemistry community is invited to participate in this process. Check out this list of frequently asked questions, which helps to demystify the process.
To submit a nomination, get started by reviewing the list of awards and their criteria. Nominations for our awards and special lectures are due by October 31.