GFDL:Goldschmidt classification

The Goldschmidt Classification, developed by Victor Goldschmidt, is a geochemical classification which groups the chemical elements according to their preferred host phases into siderophile (iron loving), lithophile (silicate loving), chalcophile (sulphur loving), and atmophile (gas loving).

Atmophile elements

H, N, noble gases

Chalcophile elements

Ag, As, Bi, Cd, Cu, Ga, Hg, In, Pb, Po, S, Sb, Se, Te, Tl, Zn

Lithophile elements

Al, At, B, Ba, Be, Br, Ca, Cl, Cr, Cs, F, I, Hf, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Nb, O, Rb, Sc, Si,Sr, Ta, Th, Ti, U, V, Y, Zr, W, Lanthanides

Siderophile elements

Au, C, Co, Fe, Ge, Ir, Mo, Ni, Os, P, Pd, Pt, Re, Rh, Ru, Sn

Some elements have affinities to more than one phase. The main affinity is given.

External links

• http://www.geology.fau.edu/course_info/fall02/gly4200/Abundance.htm
• http://www.science.uwaterloo.ca/earth/waton/5a.html
• http://www.science.uwaterloo.ca/earth/waton/gold.html