Course ID: | GEOL 8460. 3 hours. 2 hours lecture and 3 hours lab per week. |
Course Title: | Isotope Geochemistry |
Course Description: | Theory of isotope fractionation and radioactive decay. Analytical methods for measurement of isotope ratios. Applications of isotope methods in the earth sciences including age dating, studies of chemical cycles in the environment, and evolution of inorganic and organic systems. |
Oasis Title: | ISOTOPE GEOCHEM |
Prerequisite: | GEOL 4020-4020L and GEOL 4110/6110 |
Semester Course Offered: | Offered spring semester every odd-numbered year. |
Grading System: | A-F (Traditional) |
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Course Objectives: | The objectives of the course are:
1. To understand the mechanisms of kinetic and mass dependent fractionation of stable
isotopes, including H/D, C, O, N, and S.
2. To recognize the major stable isotope reservoirs on and within the earth, and to
understand the utility of using stable isotopes to determine from which reservoir(s)
earth materials were sourced.
3. To learn, via lecture and lab experience, the techniques for the extraction and
measurement of stable isotope ratios.
4. To understand the mechanisms of radioactive decay, including K/Ar, Ar/Ar, Rb/Sr,
U/Pb, Pb/Pb, and other radiogenic isotope systems.
5. To understand the use of radiogenic isotopes for radiometric dating of a wide
variety of earth materials, including both rocks and waters.
6. To understand the use of radiogenic isotopes for determining the source(s) of earth
materials, such as distinguishing between mantle and crustal sources, as well as
other terrestrial and extraterrestrial sources.
Evaluation mechanisms:
1. class participation in seminar-style discussions led by both professors and
students.
2. performance on written exams
3. performance on lab exercises and projects |
Topical Outline: | I. Stable Isotopes
1. Fractionation mechanisms
2. Isotope reservoirs
3. Measurement techniques
4. Thermometry and source determination
5. Survey of various terrestrial/extraterrestrial systems
II. Radiogenic Isotopes
1. Decay schemes
2. Isotope reservoirs
3. Mechanics of specific isotope systems
4. Survey of various terrestrial/extraterrestrial systems |
Honor Code Reference: | Students are expected to abide by the University Honor Code. Collaborative work on
laboratory-based exercises and projects is acceptable when team approaches are used
to assign duties, otherwise students are expected to work independently both in terms
of work performed as well as synthesis of data and final written report preparation. |