A geochemist is a scientist who studies the earth using both geology and chemistry. Geochemists study the chemical make-up of and interactions between various substances found in the earth, primarily using rocks and minerals. They work as researchers and teachers for oil companies, the government, and environmental agencies, as well as for oil companies, the government, and environmental agencies.
Geochemists can work in the public or private sector, but their main goal is to find ways to reduce or repair environmental damage caused by humans. They spend a lot of time in the field, traveling across the country or around the world to observe sites, collect and analyze samples, and conduct research. While on the job, a geochemist will usually collaborate with teams of other scientists.
Though they spend some time in the lab, they spend the majority of their time outside. They often have to hike or climb to the sites, and they may even have to camp there. They either study objects deep underground, such as the interiors of volcanoes, or objects closer to the surface, such as the interiors of volcanoes. Their field work entails a great deal of puzzle solving, with logic and reason being used to fill in the gaps in the hard data gathered.
Oil companies employ a large number of geochemists. A geochemist’s primary responsibility when working with these companies is to find the most oil with the least amount of environmental damage. Petroleum geologists are another name for these geochemists.
Still others work for the government or in the private sector. The Environmental Protection Agency, in particular, employs geochemists to assist in the development of green technology and the combating of current environmental threats. Geochemists are frequently hired by other private organizations interested in green technology. A geochemist can also teach at a university or conduct research for scientific organizations.
Geochemists may rely more heavily on their geology background or their chemistry background, depending on the job. For example, some geochemists examine abandoned mines to predict their environmental impact and provide guidance on how to clean them up safely. These geochemists use their geology expertise to determine this type of environmental effect, but they rely more on their chemistry background to do so.
Organic and inorganic chemistry, as well as geology, are usually strong suits for a geochemist. They usually have backgrounds in a variety of subjects, including math, geography, and even English. Geochemists typically have a Bachelor’s degree in geology with a minor in chemistry, but their Bachelor’s degree can be in any math or science field. They’ll almost always have a master’s degree in geochemistry, and those who teach will almost always have a doctorate.