Page 6 - Geochemical Remote Sensing of The Sub-Surface

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EDITOR'S FOREWORD

In my Foreword to the first volume in the Handbook of Exploration Geochemistry,
published in 1981, I rashly gave a list of forthcoming volumes that would be published
".... over the next few years .... ". Indeed, the titles were listed on the flyleaf opposite
the title page. Volume 7 was listed as Volatile Elements in Mineral Exploration. The
advances in concepts since that time are reflected in the title metamorphosing into
Geochemical Remote Sensing of the Subsurface. It is worth recalling that when I first
proposed the idea of the Handbook Series to Elsevier in 1974 my list of titles did not
even include a volume dealing with gaseous and volatile elements and compounds.
The concept of expanding the original scope of this volume and providing a new
focus that the words "Remote Sensing" imply, was a bold and prescient step by
Professor Hale. Notwithstanding that some chapters do not deal with gases or volatile
elements, it signifies a different dimension for geochemical exploration methods.
The theme of all volumes in the Handbook Series is ore-finding; in this volume "ore"
clearly encompasses hydrocarbons. A particular objective is that the contents are
presented in such a way as to be easily understood by the practising exploration
geologist as well as the specialist exploration geochemist. One of the aims of the original
concept of a series of volumes, each devoted to some particular aspect of exploration
geochemistry, was to allow sufficient space to examine and describe the basic
underlying scientific principles of the techniques in sufficient detail to be useful as a
reference source for researchers.
This volume amply fulfils all objectives. Not only is it replete with case histories and
"how to" information, it also has a greater emphasis on theoretical scientific principles
than other volumes in the Series. This is an inevitable reflection of the relatively lower
level of development of the techniques, and the complexity of controlling mechanisms of
gaseous migration and long distance epigenetic dispersion of elements.
Professor Hale is to be congratulated in bringing together such an impressive
international team of authors. He is also to be congratulated in allowing, indeed
encouraging, the inclusion of negative data. I refer especially to the chapters on mercury
and helium. Both these elements have tantalised exploration geochemists for more than a
generation as having all the attributes to detect deeply-buried mineralisation. The
comprehensive reviews in this volume suggest that, in fact, neither has much