Journal profile · Geochemistry & Geophysics
Journal of Geochemical Exploration
ISSN 0375-6742 · eISSN 1879-1689 · Elsevier · NETHERLANDS · Bimonthly · Founded 1972
Journal of Geochemical Exploration: CAS Zone 3 · Earth Sciences (2025 upgraded edition); impact factor 4.53; hybrid open access; APC about USD 3,570; review about 163 days (submission to acceptance, publisher); community-reported acceptance: easy; 219 articles in 2025; indexed in SCIE and Scopus.
Scope
Aims, scope and focus
Journal of Geochemical Exploration is published by Elsevier and is in Zone 3 of Earth Sciences in the CAS Journal Ranking (2025 upgraded edition). By OpenAlex counts of its recent articles, its largest topics are Geochemistry and Geologic Mapping, Geological and Geochemical Analysis and Heavy metals in environment, together about 44.8% of its articles. (generated from OpenAlex topic counts and CAS ranking data)
Journal of Geochemical Exploration is mostly dedicated to publication of original studies in exploration and environmental geochemistry and related topics.Contributions considered of prevalent interest for the journal include researches based on the application of innovative methods to:define the genesis and the evolution of mineral deposits including transfer of elements in large-scale mineralized areas.analyze complex systems at the boundaries between bio-geochemistry, metal transport and mineral accumulation.evaluate effects of historical mining activities on the surface environment.trace pollutant sources and define their fate and transport models in the near-surface and surface environments involving solid, fluid and aerial matrices.assess and quantify natural and technogenic radioactivity in the environment.determine geochemical anomalies and set baseline reference values using compositional data analysis, multivariate statistics and geo-spatial analysis.assess the impacts of anthropogenic contamination on ecosystems and human health at local and regional scale to prioritize and classify risks through deterministic and stochastic approaches.Papers dedicated to the presentation of newly developed methods in analytical geochemistry to be applied in the field or in laboratory are also within the topics of interest for the journal.Submission of studies presenting results related with global and continental-wide geochemical prospecting activities and review articles covering topics of interest for a broad international audience is also encouraged specially when accompanied by cartographic products.To ensure high quality of both the peer review process and the published papers, associate editors are assigned to individual submissions in accordance with their own expertise.
From the journal's Aims & Scope
Research area (LetPub): Geochemistry & Geophysics
Editor-in-chief Martiya SadeghiPublisher website
Editorial board by country: 14 in mainland China (about 27%); most named Mainland China 14, Italy 5, Chile 4, United States 2, France 2 (51 members with a country) Editorial board ↗Publisher website ·
Main research topics OpenAlex counts of recent articles; shares are approximate
- Geochemistry and Geologic MappingComputer Science22.7%
- Geological and Geochemical AnalysisEarth and Planetary Sciences12.4%
- Heavy metals in environmentEnvironmental Science9.7%
- Hydrocarbon exploration and reservoir analysisEngineering5.6%
- Geochemistry and Elemental AnalysisEarth and Planetary Sciences5.3%
- Mine drainage and remediation techniquesEnvironmental Science4.2%
- earthquake and tectonic studiesEarth and Planetary Sciences4%
- Groundwater and Isotope GeochemistryEarth and Planetary Sciences3.6%
Rankings & indexing
CAS ranking and database indexing
CAS Journal Ranking
CAS Journal Ranking, upgraded edition (March 2025)Earth Sciences Zone 3
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Earth Sciences | Zone 3 |
| Minor | Geochemistry & Geophysics | Zone 3 |
Top journal: noReview journal: no
CAS Xinrui Journal Ranking (March 2026)Earth Sciences Zone 3
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Earth Sciences | Zone 3 |
| Minor | Geochemistry & Geophysics | Zone 3 |
Top journal: noReview journal: not marked
CAS Journal Ranking, previous upgraded edition (December 2023)Earth Sciences Zone 2
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Earth Sciences | Zone 2 |
| Minor | Geochemistry & Geophysics | Zone 3 |
Top journal: noReview journal: no
Database indexing
SCIEScopusLetPub
International journal early-warning lists: not listed in any editionLetPub
Editions, and major and minor categories, are shown separately and never merged into one zone; check which edition your institution uses before you submit or report.
Metrics
Impact metrics and publication volume
Impact
- Impact factor
- 4.53LetPub ·
- Impact factor (publisher)
- 4.6Publisher website ·
- CiteScore 2026-06
- 7.3LetPub ·
- CiteScore (publisher)
- 7.3Publisher website ·
- SJR 2026-06
- 1.07LetPub ·
- SNIP 2026-06
- 1.29LetPub ·
- h-index
- 72LetPub ·
- h-index
- 141OpenAlex ·
- i10-index
- 3,433OpenAlex ·
- 2-year mean citedness
- 4.32OpenAlex ·
- Self-citation rate
- 8.7%LetPub ·
- Share of gold OA articles
- 23.57%LetPub ·
Volume
- Articles per year
- 201LetPub ·
Articles by year OpenAlex count · 6,017 in total · the current year is incomplete
| Year | Articles | Open access | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 204 | 50 | 100 |
| 2025 | 219 | 71 | 798 |
| 2024 | 197 | 57 | 1,782 |
| 2023 | 157 | 52 | 1,964 |
| 2022 | 143 | 40 | 1,931 |
| 2021 | 123 | 22 | 2,594 |
Sources count differently and were observed at different times, so each source's own value is kept; "publisher" marks figures from the journal's website.
Review & acceptance
Review time and acceptance
Publisher-reported review time from the journal's website
163 dayssubmission to acceptance · community reports about 3 months
The publisher's own definition applies; dates from this journal's articles in the last 24 months are not available yet, so the publisher's figure is used.
Figures by source
- Average review time (community reports)
- about 3 monthsLetPub ·
- Average acceptance (community reports)
- EasyLetPub ·
- Submission to first decision
- 15 daysPublisher website ·
- First decision after review
- 85 daysPublisher website ·
- Submission to acceptance
- 163 daysPublisher website ·
- Acceptance to publication
- 3 daysPublisher website ·
- Peer review
- Single anonymous peer reviewPublisher website
Community reports come from authors' own submissions (confidence 0.5) and are not a promise from the journal; for publisher figures, the journal's own definitions apply.
Fees & open access
APC and open-access policy
Hybrid open accessLetPub
A subscription journal in which authors can pay to publish their article open access.
| Source | APC | Fee waiver | License | Observed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OpenAlex | USD 3,570 / EUR 3,340 / GBP 2,860 / JPY 442,790 | — | — | |
| Publisher website | USD 3,740 | — | — |
A hybrid journal charges the APC only when the author chooses open access; publishing under the subscription model is usually free.
The journal's website is authoritative for fees; sources were observed at different times and each keeps its own value, without averaging.
Submission
Article types and submission policies (journal website)
Open calls for papers1, by deadline
Publisher websiteWhat to prepare5 items from the author guidelines
- Abstract
- ≤ 250 words
- Keywords
- 1–7
- Reference style
- Numbered, in order of citation
- Highlights
- Required
- Graphical abstract
- Optional
Article types accepted7
- discussion papersOriginal research papers, review papers, discussion papers and short communications are welcomed.Length not stated
- original research paperOriginal research papers, review papers, discussion papers and short communications are welcomed.Length not stated
- original research papersOriginal research papers, review papers, discussion papers and short communications are welcomed.Length not stated
- reviewOriginal research papers, review papers, discussion papers and short communications are welcomed.Length not stated
- review papersOriginal research papers, review papers, discussion papers and short communications are welcomed.Length not stated
- short communicationOriginal research papers, review papers, discussion papers and short communications are welcomed.Length not stated
- short communicationsOriginal research papers, review papers, discussion papers and short communications are welcomed.Length not stated
Policy excerpts from the journal's websiteAI use, Authorship, Conflicts of interest, Publication ethics, License & copyright, Open access, Peer review, Preprints
- AI use Declaration of generative AI use
Authors must declare the use of generative AI tools in the manuscript preparation process upon submission of the paper.Generative AI and AI-assisted technologies (“AI tools”) have been rapidly adopted in research and scholarly publishing, offering significant benefits while requiring clear standards for responsible and transparent use.Authors preparing a manuscript for this journal may use AI tool…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Authorship Group authorship
Group authorship refers to the attribution of an article to a defined and named group of authors whose members have contributed to the work. Examples include research consortia, clinical trial groups, collaborative networks, task forces or working groups, expert panels or consensus groups, and participatory research groups. Group authorship must be declared on the title page at submission. When av…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Conflicts of interest Declaration of competing interests
All authors must disclose any financial and personal relationships with other people or organizations that could inappropriately influence or bias their work. Examples of potential competing interests include:EmploymentConsultanciesStock ownershipHonorariaPaid expert testimonyPatent applications or registrationsGrants or any other fundingAffiliation with the journal as an Editor or Advisory Board …
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Publication ethics
Ethics in publishing Model summary
Authors must follow ethical guidelines stated in Elsevier's Publishing Ethics Policy.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- License & copyright License options
Authors will be offered open access user license options which will determine how you, and third parties, can reuse your open access article. We advise that you review these options and any funding body license requirements before selecting a license option.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Open access Open access
We refer you to our open access information page to learn about open access options for this journal.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Peer review Peer review
Single anonymized review process Model summary
This journal follows a single anonymized review process. Your submission will initially be assessed by our editors. If your submission is deemed suitable, it will typically be sent to be reviewed by a minimum of one reviewer for an independent expert assessment of the scientific quality. The decision as to whether your article is accepted or rejected for publication will be made by our editors.Rea…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Preprints Preprints
Preprint sharing allowed Model summary
Preprint sharingAuthors may share preprints in line with Elsevier's article sharing policy. Sharing preprints, such as on a preprint server, will not count as prior publication.We advise you to read our policy on multiple, redundant or concurrent publication. In support of Open Science, this journal offers its authors a free preprint posting service on SSRN, Elsevier’s preprint and early research …
Source ↗Publisher website ·
Excerpts are quoted from the journal's website; "model summary" lines are written by Workers AI and checked against the text. The journal's website is authoritative.
Profile
Publication details and official links
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Country or region
- NETHERLANDS
- Language
- Multi-Language
- Frequency
- Bimonthly
- Founded
- 1972
- ISSN
- 0375-6742
- Electronic ISSN
- 1879-1689
- Official links
- Journal homepage ↗LetPub
- Submission system ↗Publisher website
- Special issues ↗Publisher website
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Journal of Geochemical Exploration
What CAS zone is Journal of Geochemical Exploration in?
In the 2025 upgraded edition of the CAS Journal Ranking, Journal of Geochemical Exploration is in Zone 3 of Earth Sciences, and in Zone 3 of the minor category Geochemistry & Geophysics. In the 2026 Xinrui edition it is in Zone 3 of Earth Sciences. Zones from different editions, and from major and minor categories, are not interchangeable.
What is the impact factor of Journal of Geochemical Exploration?
The latest impact factor listed by LetPub is 4.53; CiteScore 7.3, h-index 141.
How long does peer review take at Journal of Geochemical Exploration?
The publisher reports about 163 days (submission to acceptance); authors report an average review time of about 3 months; the community-reported acceptance is “Easy”. Article statistics cover accepted papers only, publisher figures follow the journal's own definitions, and community reports come from authors' own submissions; none is a promise from the journal.
What are the manuscript requirements of Journal of Geochemical Exploration?
According to the journal's author guidelines: Abstract: ≤ 250 words; Keywords: 1–7; Reference style: Numbered, in order of citation; Highlights: Required; Graphical abstract: Optional. A model extracted these from the author guidelines and each was checked against the text; check the latest version on the journal's website before submitting.
Where are the editorial board members of Journal of Geochemical Exploration based?
Of the 51 board members whose country the journal's board page names, 14 (about 27%) are in mainland China; the countries named most often are Mainland China (14), Italy (5) and Chile (4). Counted from the institutions listed on the board page; for reference only.
Which databases index Journal of Geochemical Exploration?
According to LetPub and DOAJ records, Journal of Geochemical Exploration is indexed in SCIE and Scopus.
Is Journal of Geochemical Exploration open access, and what is the APC?
Journal of Geochemical Exploration is a hybrid journal. For open-access publication: APC about USD 3,570.
Sources and updates
The facts on this page come from LetPub, Publisher website, OpenAlex; every figure is tagged with its source and the date it was observed, and conflicting values are kept per source. LetPub source page: view ↗ (archived 2026-08-26). Last updated: .