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ES663A: Non-Traditional Stable Isotope Geochemistry

Course Description

Non-traditional stable isotope geochemistry primarily involves applications of isotopes of heavy elements (e.g., Ca, Fe, Zn etc.) which have been flourished in the last two decades mainly with the advancement of mass spectrometry. Applications of ‘non-traditional stable isotope systems’ are wide-ranging: they are being used as proxies for both low and high-temperature terrestrial processes and extra-terrestrial processes. Additionally, they are being used in the bio-medical field.

This course will primarily focus on the principle, analytical methods, and applications of non-traditional stable isotopes of various elements towards understanding a wide range of research problems.

Course Content

The topics that will be discussed in detail are as follows:

1. Introduction: Definition of key terminologies, notations, reference standards, stable isotopic fractionations, traditional versus non-traditional stable isotopes, history of non-traditional stable isotope-based research, introduction to different non-traditional isotope systems

2. Analytical methods: sample preparation, measurement techniques (in-situ and non-in-situ) by mass spectrometry, data correction and representation

3. Non-traditional stable isotope as a proxy for low- T terrestrial processes: 

(i) Isotopic fractionation during mineral precipitation (e.g., clay/ carbonates) from aqueous media in a natural setting 

(ii) Isotopic fractionation during Earth’s surface processes (e.g., continental weathering, surface runoff, nutrient transfer from root to the leaf of vegetation etc.) 

(iii) Coupling of Continental and Oceanic Processes

4. Non-traditional stable isotope as a proxy for High-T terrestrial processes:

Isotope geochemistry of rock-forming minerals, inter-mineral isotopic fractionation and bond-lengths, bulk-silicate Earth compositions, diffusion in silicate melts, isotopic compositions igneous rocks formed at different tectonic settings, isotopic fractionation during partial melting, magmatic differentiation and liquid immiscibility etc.

5. Non-traditional stable isotope as a proxy for extra-terrestrial processes:

 Isotopic compositions of chondrites, differentiated meteorites, Lunar and Martian rocks, isotopic fractionation during nucleosynthesis and early volatile depletion.

6. Biomedical applications of non-traditional stable isotopes:

Isotopic compositions of diet, isotope transport model from food to blood, between soft tissues, bone loss or bone cancer