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.

Personality Type

• Investigative / Realistic
• Realistic / Investigative

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

Source: Sisyphus ODB