Geochemical modeling is employed in several fields of science and engineering, and this review provides a structured evaluation of studies that applied geochemical modeling in the year 2019. The scientometric analysis showed that over the two last decades, an upward trend is observed on the number of scholarly articles applying geochemical modeling, reflecting the software development, database expansion and global dissemination of the technique in this period. Considered as an interdisciplinary research tool, geochemical modeling has been associated with a total of fifty research fields, as categorized by Web of Science. The 220 compiled studies from 2019 originated from Europe (64 case studies), USA (35), China (30), Indian sub-continent (15), Africa (14), Australia (13) and the Middle East (12), as the top productive regions.<br/>The critical analysis showed that geochemical modeling remains predominantly employed in experimental projects, and in the form of equilibrium modeling. PHREEQC and Visual MINTEQ were the two most popular software packages for simulating a wide range of processes. The study of fluid-rock interactions, and of pollution and remediation processes, were the principal geochemical modeling objectives (36.9% and 36.6% of the reviewed studies, respectively). Studies on fluid-rock interactions, hydrogeochemical processes, carbon capture and storage, and enhanced oil recovery have been the main topics examined with geochemical modeling. In terms of pollution and remediation research, assessments of the toxicity of metals in terms of leachate and mobilization, as well as their removal from soil and water systems, have been major topics investigated with the aid of geochemical modeling. It is found that scholars benefit from geochemical modeling in their research both as a main technique and as an accessory tool. Saturation index, elemental concentration and speciation, mineral mass and composition, and pH were among the most common variables modeled in reviewed studies.<br/>Geochemical modeling has gained wider user base in recent years, and many research groups have used it in consecutive studies to deepen knowledge, but much potential for further dissemination of this computational technique still remains.

Geochemical modeling applications and research hot spots – a scientometric and critical review of 2019

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

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