The field of geochemistry involves study of the chemical composition of the Earth and other planets, chemical processes and reactions that govern the composition of rocks and soils, and the cycles of matter and energy that transport the Earth's chemical components in time and space.

The most important fields of geochemistry are:

1. Determination of the relative and absolute concentrations of the elements and their isotopes in the earth and on earth´s surface.
2. Examination of the distribution and movements of elements in different parts of the earth (crust, mantle, hydrosphere etc.) and in minerals with the goal to determine the underlying legalities of distribution and movement.
3. Analysis of the distribution of elements and their isotopes in the cosmos (cosmochemistry).
4. A study of the role of processes and compounds that are derived from living or once-living organisms (organic geochemistry)
5. Applications to Environmental and Hydrological studies.

See also: Petrology, Important publications in geochemistry

Further reading

• Bernard Gunn: The Geochemistry of Igneous Rocks http://www.Geokem.com
• Gunter Faure: Principles of Isotope Geochemistry., ISBN 0471864129
• Cl.J. Allègre, G. Michard, R.N. Varney, Introduction to Geochemistry, ISBN 90-277-0497-X,