You can start by reading books like "Essentials of Geochemistry" by John F. Walther and "Principles and Applications of Inorganic Geochemistry" for a comprehensive background. Additionally, there are articles such as those written by EC Grunsky that discuss the use of multivariate statistical methods in the analysis of geochemistry data. Attending workshops related to geochemistry data analysis, especially those focusing on compositional data analysis (CoDA), is also very beneficial.

Make sure to verify important information, especially when applying the mentioned methods in your own research.

Recommendations for Literature and Video Tutorials in Geochemistry

1. Key Literature

Several authoritative books and research papers provide foundational knowledge and advanced techniques for managing and analyzing geochemical data. These include:

"Geochemical Data: Analysis, Modelling, and Interpretation" by G. E. M. Hall

This book provides a thorough guide to understanding geochemical datasets, including data preprocessing, statistical methods, and modeling techniques.

"Practical Geochemistry" by Iain Thornton and Stephen Moorcroft

This is a practical guide covering sampling methods, data management, and interpretation strategies tailored for young professionals in geochemistry.

"Data Analysis in the Earth Sciences Using MATLAB" by Gerald M. Friedman

This book emphasizes computational tools for geochemical analysis, focusing on MATLAB's application in interpreting data.

"Quantitative Geosciences: Data Analytics, Geostatistics, and Machine Learning" by Xavier Emery et al.

A recent publication that bridges geochemistry with data science, emphasizing advanced data visualization and statistical techniques.

Journals and Papers

Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta (Journal)

Features case studies and advanced methodologies for geochemical analysis.

Papers on statistical techniques in Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis.

2. Video Tutorials

YouTube Channels

GeoChemEd

Offers tutorials on geochemical data management, software use, and modern analysis methods.

Geochemical Instrumentation and Analysis

Focuses on techniques such as ICP-MS, XRF, and chromatography, with tutorials for data interpretation.

Online Platforms

Coursera: Courses like "Data Analysis and Visualization in Geochemistry" include video content on managing geochemical datasets.

Udemy: Offers hands-on courses on software such as ArcGIS and QGIS for geochemical mapping.

3. Software Recommendations

Efficient geochemical analysis requires familiarity with specialized software:

Geochemical Data Management:

Excel with Add-ins: Essential for creating clean databases. Tools like XLSTAT integrate geochemical-specific statistical analysis.

GeoSciML: An open standard for geochemistry databases.

Geochemical Analysis and Visualization:

Geochemist's Workbench: For thermodynamic modeling and data interpretation.

QGIS/ArcGIS: Widely used for spatial visualization of geochemical data.

R and Python: Both are powerful for statistical modeling and machine learning. Libraries such as ggplot2 (R) and pandas (Python) are highly beneficial.

Advanced Techniques:

MATLAB: For advanced numerical modeling and visualization.

Thermo-Calc: For thermodynamic modeling of geochemical systems.

4. Steps for Preparing Databases

Preparing a geochemical database involves multiple stages:

Data Collection: Gather data from reliable sources (field samples, published studies, etc.).

Data Cleaning: Use tools like Excel, R, or Python to remove duplicates and correct inconsistencies.

Data Organization: Follow standard formats (e.g., IUGS standards) for easy sharing and reproducibility.

Integration with GIS: Link geochemical data to spatial coordinates using GIS software for better visualization and analysis.

5. Practice and Community Engagement

Engage with online geochemistry forums (e.g., ResearchGate, GeoNet) to learn from peers and experts.

Participate in workshops or webinars offered by societies like the Geochemical Society or Society of Economic Geologists.

By consulting these resources and integrating them into your learning process, you can build a strong foundation in preparing databases and analyzing geochemical data.

Bekhruz,

I suggest that you get a copy of "Chemical and Isotopic Groundwater Hydrology" (https://www.amazon.com/Chemical-Isotopic-Groundwater-Hydrology-Environment/dp/0824747046), then download the latest version of PHREEQC along with the PHREEQC manual. PHREEQC is a public domain program maintained by the US Geological Survey. I have used PHREEQC for many years. It has a bit of a learning curve but the manual is clearly written and includes many examples that you can use to set up your own geochem models.

Regards,

Bruce K Darling