Author name: John Ludden

Geochemical data and models can provide a baseline by which to compare changes in the composition of surface waters, groundwater, the atmosphere, soils, and sediments in the coastal megacity of London. The usefulness of geochemical data is dependent on effective communication, which can be challenging. Geochemical tools and approaches can provide evidence to underpin decision making as well as solutions to environmental problems in cities. Geochemists must move beyond simple provision of evidence to describing a solution and then convincing politicians to put this solution into practice.

As geochemists and mineralogists, we are well aware of the impact of our science. We can often reel off examples of how our discoveries have influenced industry and improved humankind’s knowledge about how the Earth works, as well as how natural and anthropogenic processes have led to its present state. Moreover, because of a century of analytical developments and conceptual breakthroughs, geochemists are now versatile and can now work across the entire spectrum of the Earth sciences. However, we are not so good at promoting the social and economic impacts of geochemistry.