ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH

The discipline of environmental geochemistry and health establishes and explains links between the natural or disturbed chemical composition of the earth’s surface and the health of plants, animals and people. Beneficial elements regulate or promote enzymatic and hormonal activity whereas other elements may be toxic. Bedrock geochemistry controls the composition of soil and hence that of water and vegetation. Environmental issues, such as pollution, arising from the extraction and use of mineral resources, are discussed. The effects of contaminants introduced into the earth’s geochemical systems are examined. Geochemical surveys of soil, water and plants show how major and trace elements are distributed geographically. Associated epidemiological studies reveal the possibility of causal links between the natural or disturbed geochemical environment and disease. Experimental research illuminates the nature or consequences of natural or disturbed geochemical processes. Environmental Geochemistry and Health publishes original research papers, short communications, review papers, topical collections of papers and special issues across the broad field of environmental geochemistry. Papers may be theoretical, interpretative or experimental. Coverage includes papers that directly link health and the environment. However, papers should not be submitted that are of local interest only and do not advance international knowledge on addressing environmental geochemistry and health issues. Articles that simply replicate known knowledge or techniques while researching a local geochemical problem will normally be rejected without review Please see the Aims and Scope of the journal for full details. There are no page charges to publish in this journal. All articles accepted after February 1, 2014 will have free color online and in print.