Teaching Stable Isotope Geochemistry in the Earth Sciences

Virtual Sessions: Fall, 2013

This virtual series was originally scheduled from January-February, 2013, but has been postponed until Fall, 2013.

Stable isotope geochemistry is one of the most powerful tools available to geoscientists, used to interrogate the Earth's composition, history, and processes. There are applications to virtually all parts of the Earth system and beyond: igneous and metamorphic petrology, ore bodies, sedimentology, paleoclimate, paleontology, hydrology, tectonics, atmospheric science, oceanography, meteoretics, biology/ecology, human health. Consequently, the principles and applications of stable isotope geochemistry should be taught and demonstrated throughout the Earth science curriculum. The purpose of this workshop is to introduce Earth scientists of all types to the principles of isotope geochemistry, and to develop a number of case studies using the isotopic systems of C-O-H-N-S (and perhaps others) to elucidate physical and chemical conditions, environments, sources, pathways and processes.

Schedule and Topics

Workshop sessions will be held on Tuesdays beginning at 11:00 AM Pacific | 12:00 PM Mountain | 1:00 PM Central | 2:00 PM Eastern. The individual workshop sessions will be recorded, and a streaming video will be posted following the session. Participants are asked to register for and attend all sessions (time conflicts can be resolved by watching the posted webcasts).

Zach Sharp, Introduction and First Principles of Stable Isotope Geochemistry
Stable Isotopes and the Solid Earth
Stable Isotopes and the Fluid Earth (Ocean-Atmosphere System, Climate)
Stable Isotopes and the Living Earth (Applications to Life Systems, past and present)
David Mogk, Teaching Stable Isotopes Across the Geoscience Curriculum, Opportunities and Demonstrations of Case Studies and Applications

Workshop Goals and Expectations

The goals of the workshop are to:

Introduce geoscientists to the principles, methods and applications of stable isotope geochemistry in the Earth Sciences.
Demonstrate modern applications of stable isotope geochemistry to a broad array of modern Earth science research topics.
Demonstrate ways that stable isotope geochemistry can be taught across the Earth science curriculum.
Develop a series of case studies, demonstrations and class activities that can support teaching and learning about stable isotopes in Earth science classes.

Show A List of Topics that Could be Developed as Case Studies or Examples of Applications of Stable Isotope Geochemistry

Hide

Applications of Stable Isotope Geochemistry, From Sharp, 2007, p. 9:

Geothermometry: temperature of formation of rock systems, ore bodies; magmatic-hydrothermal systems
Tracers: distinguishing source areas from large reservoirs, ocean, mantle, meteoric waters, organic matter; origins of rocks, fluids, plants, contaminants and food sources; meteorites
Reaction mechanisms: open (infiltration) vs. closed systems; diffusion and recrystallization, fluid-rock ratios, "geospeedometry",metabolic pathways; igneous (fractional crystallization, alteration, degassing, assimilation, AFC); metamorphic petrology (protolith identification, volatilization reactions, fluid infiltration, alteration, thermometry); diagenesis and surficial processes (weathering);
Paleoclimatology: mineral, fluid and gas inclusions record conditions of the past; ice core, bones, carbonates, corals, cherts, clays, grasses,...

Workshop participants are expected to:

Attend all workshop sessions, and contribute to discussion and chat activities;
Create a "case study" or application webpage demonstrating the use of stable isotopes as applied to Earth science research. (We will provide a template and web-authoring services).
Contribute at least one teaching activity that has some aspect of stable isotope geochemistry as a central component of that activity.
Submit a post-workshop evaluation.

Platform

These webinars will be conducted using the Adobe Connect software platform for presentations, screen sharing and real-time chat between participants and presenters. Audio will be handled through a separate conference call telephone line. Instructions for connecting will be provided to registered participants for each event. We welcome participation by anyone on the discussion board for these topics, whether you attended a webinar or not.

Registration and Fee Payment

Please use the Registration form to reserve your place in this virtual workshop. The cost of the 5-session workshop is $145 (or $100 for NAGT members; learn more about becoming a member of NAGT). Our National Science Foundation grant provides funding for the remainder of the operational costs of the workshop. The registration and payment deadline is forthcoming. Payment information, including a link to pay via PayPal, can be found on the payment page (forthcoming).

Conveners:

Dave Mogk, Department of Earth Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman
Zach Sharp, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque
Monica Bruckner, Science Education Resource Center - Carleton College, Northfield, MN

For questions or more information contact: David Mogk (mogk@montana.edu) or Monica Bruckner (mbruckne@carleton.edu)

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