Fall 2023 Earth and Environmental Sciences GU4888 section 001

STABLE ISOTOPE GEOCHEMISTRY

STABLE ISOTOPE GEOCHEMIST

Call Number 13067
Day & Time
Location
TR 8:40am-9:55am
603 Schermerhorn Hall [SCH]
Points 3
Grading Mode Standard
Approvals Required None
Instructor Braddock Linsley
Type LECTURE
Method of Instruction In-Person
Course Description Prerequisites: introductory chemistry and earth science coursework. Prerequisites: Introductory Chemistry and Earth Science coursework. Given in alternate years. This class will be an introduction to the field of stable isotope geochemistry and its application to understanding current and past environmental processes. The utility of stable isotopes as tracers will be examined with respect to the disciplines of hydrology, oceanography,paleoclimatology, paleoceanography, landscape evolution, carbon cycle and nitrogen cycle dynamics. We will focus on the stable isotopes of hydrogen, carbon, oxygen, nitrogen in water, ice, carbonates and organic compounds and why they fractionate in the environment. The theoretical background for isotope fractionation will be discussed in class. Radiocarbon as a tracer and dating tool will also be reviewed. In addition, the mechanics of how mass spectrometers analyze different isotope ratios will be explored in class and during experiments in the laboratory. Additional key parts of the class will be a review of paper or laboratory report and student-lead reviews of published papers on relevant topics.
Web Site Vergil
Department Earth and Environmental Sciences
Enrollment 18 students (30 max) as of 7:50PM Sunday, April 28, 2024
Subject Earth and Environmental Sciences
Number GU4888
Section 001
Division Interfaculty
Campus Morningside
Section key 20233EESC4888W001