Journal of Geochemical Exploration

Journal of Geochemical Exploration
Title	Journal of Geochemical Exploration
Discipline	Geochemistry
Publisher	Elsevier
Country	Netherlands
Frequency	Monthly
History	1972–present
Issn	0375-6742

Journal of Geochemical Exploration is a peer-reviewed scientific journal focusing on applied Geochemistry and exploration techniques used in mineral and hydrocarbon prospecting. The journal publishes research on geochemical methods, case studies, and technological developments relevant to mineral deposits, environmental studies, and resource assessment. It serves as a forum connecting researchers from institutions such as the United States Geological Survey, British Geological Survey, Geological Survey of Canada, CSIRO, and universities like Stanford University, University of Oxford, and University of Melbourne.

History

The journal was established in 1972 during a period of expanding interest in systematic geochemical mapping and exploration led by organizations including International Union of Geological Sciences, World Bank-funded geological surveys, and national programs such as the Geological Survey of India initiatives. Early contributors came from research centers like Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Imperial College London, University of Liverpool, University of Copenhagen, and Université Pierre et Marie Curie. Editorial leadership historically involved figures affiliated with institutions such as Royal School of Mines, CSIC, and the Australian National University. The journal evolved alongside technological shifts from classical geochemical prospecting to modern approaches integrating data from Landsat, ASTER, Aerial Geophysics campaigns, and digital geochemical databases curated by entities like British Geological Survey and Geoscience Australia.

Scope and Topics

The journal covers applied topics in exploration geochemistry, including multi-element soil geochemistry, stream sediment sampling, hydrogeochemistry, and biogeochemical indicators used in studies by teams from University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, Colorado School of Mines, and Uppsala University. It features methodological advances in analytical techniques devised at laboratories such as Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, including inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry work associated with International Atomic Energy Agency projects. The scope spans regional metallogeny studies tied to provinces like the Carlin Trend, Pilbara Craton, Himalayan Orogen, and Fennoscandian Shield, plus case studies from basins such as the Athabasca Basin, Parnaíba Basin, and Permian Basin. The journal also publishes work on environmental geochemistry linked to remediation programs by agencies like Environmental Protection Agency (United States), studies integrating isotope geochemistry using approaches from Max Planck Society-affiliated groups, and contributions examining geochemical footprints of mines operated by companies such as Rio Tinto, BHP, and Barrick Gold.

Abstracting and Indexing

The journal is indexed in major bibliographic services and citation databases including Scopus, Science Citation Index Expanded, GeoRef, Chemical Abstracts Service, and Compendex. Abstracting coverage extends to subject-specific indexes used by libraries at Harvard University, University of Cambridge, Princeton University, and research hubs like Chinese Academy of Sciences and Indian Institute of Science. Institutional repositories and aggregators such as Elsevier ScienceDirect facilitate access alongside national library catalogs including Library of Congress and British Library entries. Metrics tracked through services like Journal Citation Reports, Google Scholar, and CrossRef influence institutional assessments at universities including McGill University and University of Queensland.

Publication and Editorial Information

Published by Elsevier, the journal follows a monthly schedule and adheres to peer review practices aligned with editorial standards from organizations such as the Committee on Publication Ethics and the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors guidelines adapted for Earth sciences. The editorial board traditionally comprises researchers from institutions like University of Arizona, Monash University, University of Otago, Trinity College Dublin, and Norwegian University of Science and Technology. Special issues have been guest-edited by scientists affiliated with centers such as Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, and the Servicio Geológico Colombiano. The journal accepts original research articles, review papers, short communications, and technical notes useful to practitioners at exploration firms including Anglo American and Newmont.

Impact and Reception

The journal has influenced exploration strategies and academic curricula at departments like University of Leeds, University of Western Australia, and Colorado School of Mines by publishing widely cited studies on geochemical dispersion, pathfinder element behavior, and sampling design employed by consultancies and state surveys. It is cited in policy documents and resource assessments prepared by agencies such as United States Geological Survey, Geological Survey of Finland, and Norwegian Petroleum Directorate. Impact metrics reported in indices such as Journal Citation Reports and referenced by funding bodies including European Research Council and National Science Foundation (United States) reflect its role in both applied and theoretical geochemistry. Reviews in professional outlets like Geology and commentary by societies such as the Geochemical Society and European Association of Geochemistry have recognized the journal’s contribution to exploration practice.

Notable Articles and Contributions

Notable contributions include seminal studies on multi-element geochemical mapping associated with collaborative projects involving USGS, British Geological Survey, and Geoscience Australia; influential methodological papers on low-detection trace element analysis from labs at CSIRO and NERC Isotope Geosciences Facility; and case histories of mineral discoveries in settings like the Carlin Trend and Pilbara Craton that informed exploration strategies at firms such as Newmont and Rio Tinto. The journal has published reviews synthesizing metallogenic models for provinces including the Kola Peninsula, Siberian Traps, and Andean Orogeny, and technical advancements in geochemical exploration linked to projects funded by the European Commission and national research councils like the Australian Research Council and Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.

Category:Geochemistry journals