1. The Goldschmidt System
AS-A level Geology
The Goldschmidt System
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2. Chemistry of the Earth

3. 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

4. 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, Siderophile, Chalcophile and Atmophile
Victor Moritz Goldschmidt

5. The Goldschmidt Classification of Elements

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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)

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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