AS-A level Geology

The Goldschmidt System

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 Chemistry of the Earth

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 Bulk composition comparable to Chondrites
Chondrites are one of the
stony meteorites, formed
when various types of dust
and small grains that were
present in the early solar
system accreted to form
primitive asteroids

Chondrites are the most

common type of meteorite
accounting for approximately
82% of all meteorites
AS-A level Geology
 The Goldschmidt Classification of Elements
Swedish born mineralogist considered
to be one of the founders of modern
geochemistry and crystal chemistry

Chemical elements on the periodic table

are classified into groups according to
their preferred host phases

4 groups are recognised: Lithophile,

Victor Moritz Goldschmidt Siderophile, Chalcophile and Atmophile
1888 - 1947
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 The Goldschmidt Classification of Elements

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 Lithophile Elements - Concentrated in the Crust
Lithophile (rock loving) elements are found close to the Earth’s surface as they
combine readily with oxygen, forming compounds that do not sink into the core.

The lithophile elements include:

• Aluminium
• Calcium
• Potassium
• Magnesium
• Sodium
• Oxygen
• Silicon
• Titanium
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 Elemental Composition of the Earth’s Crust
Elemental Composition
of the Earth’s Crust
99% of the earth’s crust by weight
is made up of just eight elements:
• Oxygen
• Silicon
• Aluminium
• Iron
• Calcium
• Sodium
• Potassium
• Magnesium
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 Lithophile Elements – Concentrated in the Crust
Found in the silicate minerals which make
up 93% of the crust by mass and constitute
the common rock-forming minerals
• Quartz
• Orthoclase Feldspar
• Plagioclase Feldspar
• Biotite Mica
• Muscovite Mica
• Hornblende (Amphibole)
• Augite (Pyroxene)
• Olivine
• Garnet
• Clay Minerals (Kaolinite)
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 Siderophile Elements – Concentrated in the Core
Siderophile (iron-loving) elements
High density metals
Tend to sink into the Earth’s core
Do not combine with oxygen
Dissolve readily in iron as solid solutions or in the molten state
The siderophile elements include
• Gold
• Iridium
• Iron
• Molybdenum
• Nickel
• Platinum
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 Chalcophile Elements – Trace amounts in the Crust
Chalcophile (ore-loving) elements
Combine readily with sulphur
Form compounds that do not sink to the core
Make up just 0.046% of crust by mass (More concentrated in mineral veins)
Chalcophile elements include
• Arsenic
• Cadmium
• Copper
• Lead
• Silver
• Sulphur
• Tin
• Zinc
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 Atmophile Elements – Concentrated in the
Atmosphere and Hydrosphere
Atmophile (atmosphere-loving) elements
Also known as volatile elements
Occur in gases and liquids close to the Earth’s surface
The atmophile elements are
• Carbon
• Hydrogen
• Nitrogen
• Argon
• Helium
• Neon
• Krypton
• Xenon

AS-A level Geology