Profession geochemist

Geochemists study the characteristics and chemical elements in minerals, rocks and soils, and how they interact with hydrological systems. They coordinate the collection of samples and indicate the suite of metals to be analysed.

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Personality Type

Knowledge

  • Geographic information systems

    The tools involved in geographical mapping and positioning, such as GPS (global positioning systems), GIS (geographical information systems), and RS (remote sensing).

  • Geology

    Solid earth, rock types, structures and the processes by which they are altered.

Skills

  • Prepare technical reports

    Prepare technical reports that describe results and processes of scientific or technical research, or assess its progress. These reports help researchers to keep up to date with recent findings.

  • Deal with pressure from unexpected circumstances

    Strive to achieve objectives despite the pressures arising from unexpected factors outside of your control.

  • Create GIS reports

    Use relevant geographic informations systems to create reports and maps based on geospatial information, using GIS software programmes.

  • Use a computer

    Utilise computer equipment or digital devices to facilitate quality control, data management, and communication. Follow instructions given by a computer programme, create computer files or documents.

  • Conduct environmental site assessments

    Manage and oversee environmental site prospection and assessments for mining or industrial sites. Designate and demarcate areas for geochemical analysis and scientific research.

  • Communicate on minerals issues

    Communicate on minerals issues with contractors, politicians and public officials.

  • Address problems critically

    Identify the strengths and weaknesses of various abstract, rational concepts, such as issues, opinions, and approaches related to a specific problematic situation in order to formulate solutions and alternative methods of tackling the situation.

  • Ensure compliance with environmental legislation

    Monitor activities and perform tasks ensuring compliance with standards involving environmental protection and sustainability, and amend activities in the case of changes in environmental legislation. Ensure that the processes are compliant with environment regulations and best practices.

  • Prepare samples for testing

    Take and prepare samples for testing, verify their representability; avoid bias and any possibility of accidental or deliberate contamination. Provide clear numbering, labelling and recording of the sample details, in order to make sure that the results can be accurately matched to the original material.

  • Perform sample testing

    Examine and perform tests on prepared samples; avoid any possibility of accidental or deliberate contamination during the testing phase. Operate sampling equipment in line with design parameters.

  • Examine geochemical samples

    Analyse laboratory samples using equipment such as spectrometers, gas chromatographs, microscopes, microprobes and carbon analysers. Determine the age and characteristics of environmental samples such as minerals, rock or soil.

  • Create thematic maps

    Use various techniques such as choropleth mapping and dasymetric mapping to create thematic maps based on geospatial information, using software programmes.

Optional knowledge and skills

perform minor repairs to equipment test samples for pollutants collect samples supervise staff liaise with industrial professionals chemistry troubleshoot

Source: Sisyphus ODB