This book provides a comprehensive overview of reaction processes in the Earth's crust and on its surface, both in the laboratory and in the field. A clear exposition of the underlying equations and calculation techniques is balanced by a large number of fully worked examples. The book uses The Geochemist's Workbench modeling software, developed by the author and already installed at over 1000 universities and research facilities worldwide. Since publication of the first edition, the field of reaction modeling has continued to grow and find increasingly broad application. In particular, the description of microbial activity, surface chemistry, and redox chemistry within reaction models has become broader and more rigorous. These areas are covered in detail in this new edition.
1. Modeling Overview; 2. The Equilibrium State; 3. Changing the Basis; 4. Solving for the Equilibrium State; 5. Equilibrium Models of Natural Waters; 6. Activity Coefficients; 7. Surface Complexation; 8. Automatic Reaction Balancing; 9. Uniqueness; 10. Mass Transfer; 11. Polythermal, Fixed, and Sliding Paths; 12. Geochemical Buffers; 13. Geochemical Kinetics; 14. Stable Isotopes; 15. Hydrothermal Fluids; 16. Geothermometry; 17. Evaporation; 18. Sediment Diagenesis; 19. Kinetic Reaction Paths; 20. Waste Injection Wells; 21. Petroleum Reservoirs; 22. Acid Drainage
Craig Bethke is a Professor at the Department of Geology, University of Illinois, specializing in mathematical modeling of subsurface and surficial processes. He won the O. E. Meinzer Award from the Geological Society of America and is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science; he has worked in France and Australia, as well as the United States.
Reviews from the first edition: 'This book definitively demystifies geochemical modeling of water-rock reactions and makes it a breeze ! An outstanding book for students, teachers, researchers, and professionals ... interested in any low-temperature geochemical endeavor.' Journal of Geology 'The book is well organized, the concepts are rigorously and clearly explained, and the range of examples are relevant and interesting. The writing style is lucid and concise, and I found the book a pleasure to read. The author also takes a refreshingly balanced view of the role and limitations of modeling.' Meteoritics & Planetary Science '... this is a unique book with many valuable insights. Mathematical derivations are balanced by clear, qualitative descriptions of what is going on ... Essential reading for anyone starting off in the study of water-rock interactions, as well as being an extremely valuable reference for people already wrestling with such problems.' Bruce Yardley, Journal of Petrology