The Importance of the Pioneering Work by V. M. Goldschmidt for Modern Geochemistry

摘要

After an early application of thermodynamics in metamorphic petrology V.M. Goldschmidt (1888-1947) took the lead in explaining the rules governing the distribution of the elements in minerals and rocks. From structures and compositions of REE compounds, he recognized lanthanide contraction and derived the basic knowledge of REE distribution. Based on the separately measured size of O~(2-), Goldschmidt calculated the ionic'size of numerous elements from oxide structures, and explained their behavior in geochemical cycles. The partition of elements between coexisting meteorite minerals was used to derive their accumulation in the core or silicate shell of the earth. His use of greatly improved minor-element analysis displayed interelement relations.