GEOSC 518 Stable Isotope Geochemistry

Instructor: P. Deines
Text: Assigned Readings
Credits: 3
Short Description: This course introduces students to the basic principles of stable isotope geochemistry that can be applied in large range of fields in the geosciences. Thus, although specific applications are discussed, the main focus of the course is to teach students the fundamentals of stable isotope geochemistry that are universally applicable. The course starts with a discussion of the basic measuring techniques and methodology and a theoretical treatment of equilibrium and kinetic isotope effects. The students are then introduced to techniques used to incorporate stable isotope variations in mathematical, geochemical models. The remainder of the course is devoted by a discussion of the known isotope effects occurring in the elements hydrogen, carbon, oxygen and sulfur, and, if time permits, nitrogen. In this section of the course student presentations focusing on the most recent advances in the understanding of isotope effects will follow introductory lectures by the instructor.

Outline

Methodology	Mass Spectrometry Mass Spectrometer Data Reduction Sample Preparation Techniques Relating Isotopic Composition Measurements to International Stable Isotope Reference Samples
Computational Treatment of Isotope Effects	Review of Some Principles of Molecular Vibrations and Statistical Mechanics Computation of Equilibrium Isotope Effects Computation of Equilibrium Fractionations Involving Solids Kinetic Isotope Effects Intra-Elemental Isotope Effects Non-Mass Dependent (NOMAD) Isotope Effects
Mathematical Models to Represent Stable Isotope Variations in Geologic Processes	Constant Volume Reservoir Processes Reservoirs with Changing Volume, Rayleigh Fractionation Isotope exchange Among Phases
Hydrogen Isotope Effects	The Properties of Hydrogen and Deuterium Hydrogen Isotope Fractionation Among Solid, Liquid and Vapor Phase of Water The H/D Fractionation of Hydronium and Hydroxyl Ions Isotope Fractionation Involving Hydration Spheres Hydrogen Isotope Fractionation Properties of Minerals and Silicate Melts Hydrogen Isotope Effects Involving Organic Compounds
Oxygen Isotope Effects	Theoretical Computations of Oxygen Isotope Effects The System H₂O Oxygen Isotope Effects in the System H₂O-CO₂Oxygen Isotope Effects Involving Organisms Experimental Techniques for the Measurement of Oxygen Isotope Effects Among Minerals Oxygen Isotope Fractionation Involving Carbonates Oxygen Isotope Fractionation of Oxides Experimentally determined Oxygen Isotope Fractionation Between Feldspars and Water Oxygen Isotope Fractionation Factors for Other Silicates Oxygen isotope Fractionation of Sulfates, Molybdenates, Tungstates and Phosphates Mineral Fractionations Extrapolated from Natural Mineral Assemblages Oxygen Isotope Geothermometry
Carbon Isotope Effects	Inorganic Carbon Isotope Effects Effect of Carbon Speciation on the Isotope Fractionation Among Carbon Bearing Phases Carbon Isotope Effects in Photosynthesis Kinetic Carbon Isotope Effects in Biological Processes Other than Photosynthesis Kinetic Isotope Effects in Inorganic Reactions Carbon Isotope Effects In Gas Transport
Sulfur Isotope Effects	Theoretical Computations and Estimations of Sulfur Isotope Effects Experimental Determination of Sulfur Isotope Fractionation Factors of Reduced Forms of Sulfur Experimental Determinations of Equilibrium Sulfur Isotope Effects Involving Oxidized Forms of Sulfur Kinetic Isotope Effects in the Reduction and Oxidation of Sulfur Compounds Bacterial Isotope Effects The Effect of Sulfur Speciation on the Isotope Fractionation Among Sulfur bearing Phases