The University of Texas at Austin, Department of Geological Sciences

Geo 388H/376E Environmental Isotope Geochemistry

   Summary of Course    Instructors    Reading and Handouts    Announcements  
Syllabus      Isotope Links        Problem Sets

Spring 2005.  This class meets T, Th from 11 to 12:30 in room 2.202 in the Geology Building.

Summary of Course
This course will examine the application of the stable and radiogenic isotope and trace element element geochemistry of natural waters, sediments and organisms to studies of the hydrologic and sedimentary cycles and global change. Principles of radioactive decay and isotope fractionation will be developed and applied to the following topics:

1) the origin and migration of surface water, vadose water, groundwater, and basinal brines

2) paleoenvironmental analysis based on sedimentary rocks, fossils, cave deposits, soils, and ice.

3) chemostratigraphy and the evolution of ocean water

4) element cycling at global and watershed scales

5) dating of sedimentary rocks, fossils, cave deposits, etc.

There may also be an opportunity to conduct field and laboratory isotope studies, depending on the level of interest.

Instructors
 Jay Banner, Department of Geological Sciences, banner@mail.utexas.edu, Office: GEO 5.210; 471-5016, Office hours: T 2-3; W 1-2 

Bridget Scanlon, Bureau of Economic Geology, bridget.scanlong@beg.utexas.edu, Campus office: GEO 5.202; 471-8241.

Reading and Handouts
The recommended text for the course is Isotopes: Principles and Applications, 3rd edition, by Faure and Mensing, available at the Coop.   A number of other readings, listed by week in the syllabus, are posted on the course's Blackboard site.

In addition, a book of handouts is available at Abel's Copies.  Please bring this to class each day.

Isotope Links
Oilfield brine contamination
Isotope geochemistry facilities at UT
Stable isotope fractionation factors
Uranium-Lead isotope readings
Jay Banner's main page