Changes

Geographical approaches are employed to ascertain the total number of individuals affected by an epidemic through the use of spatial analysis. On the other hand, biochemical studies provide an insight into the processes that elements undergo in biochemical systems while the burden of studying the epidemiological and toxicological aspects of diseases lies on the shoulders of medical sciences. Through such approaches, medical doctors are able to cure such diseases.<ref name=Setal2013>Selinus, O., B. Alloway, J. A. Centeno, R. B. Finkelman, R. Fuge, U. Lindh, and P. Smedley, (eds.) 2013. Essentials of Medical Geology. Elsevier, Amsterdam, 805p.</ref>

Geographical approaches are employed to ascertain the total number of individuals affected by an epidemic through the use of spatial analysis. On the other hand, biochemical studies provide an insight into the processes that elements undergo in biochemical systems while the burden of studying the epidemiological and toxicological aspects of diseases lies on the shoulders of medical sciences. Through such approaches, medical doctors are able to cure such diseases.<ref name=Setal2013>Selinus, O., B. Alloway, J. A. Centeno, R. B. Finkelman, R. Fuge, U. Lindh, and P. Smedley, (eds.) 2013. Essentials of Medical Geology. Elsevier, Amsterdam, 805p.</ref>

Furthermore, geology is employed as a tool in identifying the causative element(s)/mineral(s) of the epidemic. This is achieved through desk study and field work aimed at identifying the host rock or soil and to map its lateral extent. Water sources such as lakes, rivers, streams and man- made wells are not left out in such studies. Mines, quarries and ore processing sites are all brought under the surveillance of geologists. This is achieved through a comprehensive mix of three aspects of geology: geochemistry, mineralogy and hydrogeology.

Furthermore, geology is employed as a tool in identifying the causative element(s)/mineral(s) of the epidemic. This is achieved through desk study and field work aimed at identifying the host rock or soil and to map its [[lateral]] extent. Water sources such as lakes, rivers, streams and man- made wells are not left out in such studies. Mines, quarries and ore processing sites are all brought under the surveillance of geologists. This is achieved through a comprehensive mix of three aspects of geology: geochemistry, mineralogy and hydrogeology.

Geochemistry is the study of the chemical changes in the earth. More specifically, it is the study of the absolute and relative abundances of chemical elements in minerals, soils, ores, rocks, water and atmosphere of the earth and the distribution of and movement of these elements from one place to another as a result of their chemical and physical characteristics. This approach is used extensively in the search for the causative element of a particular epidemic.

Geochemistry is the study of the chemical changes in the earth. More specifically, it is the study of the absolute and relative abundances of chemical elements in minerals, soils, ores, rocks, water and atmosphere of the earth and the distribution of and movement of these elements from one place to another as a result of their chemical and physical characteristics. This approach is used extensively in the search for the causative element of a particular epidemic.