Calendar

SES # TOPICS SUBTOPICS INSTRUCTORS KEY DATES
Nuclear Systematics
1 The Basics Nuclear (in)stability, isotopes, particles, forces, cosmic abundances Bill Jenkins  
2 Nucleosynthesis Primordial, galactic, stellar evolution and nucleosynthesis (r, s, p processes) Bill Jenkins  
3 Radioactive Decay Mechanisms, systematics, measurement, statistics Bernhard Peucker-Ehrenbrink  
4 Radiometric Dating I Extinct, simple, parent-daughter, secular (dis)equilibrium and equations Bernhard Peucker-Ehrenbrink  
5 Radiometric Dating II Open/closed systems, isochrons (IsoPlot), modeling Bernhard Peucker-Ehrenbrink  
6 Problem-Solving Session 1 A tutorial on problem solving (basic skills) including dimensional analysis Bernhard Peucker-Ehrenbrink Problem set 1 assigned
Earth Formation and Evolution
7 Solar System and Planetary Formation Concepts, isotopic constraints on timing and processes, core and moon formation Bernhard Peucker-Ehrenbrink  
8 Earth Structure and Evolution Compatibility, melting, parent-daughter fractionation, formation of reservoirs, heat flow geoneutrinos Bill Jenkins  
9 Atmosphere/Ocean Formation Noble gases (including 3He) and isotopes (degassing), hydrodynamic escape Bill Jenkins  
10 Cosmogenic Isotopes I Exposure dating, 10Be, 26Al, 36Cl theory, models, and practice Bill Jenkins Problem set 1 due
11 Cosmogenic Isotopes II 14C (carbon cycle, paleo) Bill Jenkins  
12 Problem-Solving Session 2 A tutorial on model building (box-models), radiocarbon and the carbon cycle Bill Jenkins  Problem set 2 assigned
Stable Isotopes
13 Mass Spectrometry I Measurement principles and methodology limitations, statistics, error propagation, isotope dilution Bill Jenkins  
14 Mass Spectrometry II Measurement principles and methodology limitations, statistics, error propagation, isotope dilution (cont.) Bill Jenkins  
15 Isotope Fractionation I Theoretical basis: harmonic oscillator model, reduced mass (effusion vs. diffusion), systematics Bill Jenkins  
16 Isotope Fractionation II Kinetic vs. Equilibrium fractionation, inverse isotope effects, mass-independent fractionation Bill Jenkins Problem set 2 due
17 Problem-Solving Session 3 Dealing with Rayleigh equation; G-IG seawater δ18O (Emiliani vs. Shackleton) Bernhard Peucker-Ehrenbrink Problem set 3 assigned
Ocean Applications
18 Mass-Independent Fractionation S-isotopes and early atmosphere oxygenation, O-isotopes and primary production Bernhard Peucker-Ehrenbrink  
19 Clumped Isotopes Concepts, theory, and application, long term seawater changes in δ18O Bernhard Peucker-Ehrenbrink  
20 Water Column I Particle scavenging, one-dimensional advection-diffusion models, Ra in circulation, subterranean estuaries Bernhard Peucker-Ehrenbrink  
21 Problem-Solving Session 4 Using one-dimensional advection-diffusion models to estimate deep ocean rates Bill Jenkins

Problem set 3 due

Problem set 4 assigned

22 Water Column II Sedimentary processes: sediment focusing (Th-Pa, He), chronology Bernhard Peucker-Ehrenbrink  
23 Water Column III Long term elements budgets (Sr, Nd, Li, He isotopes) Bernhard Peucker-Ehrenbrink  
24 Water Column IV Redox processes, metal isotopes, and sediment-sea exchange Bernhard Peucker-Ehrenbrink  
25 Water Column V Air-sea exchange (222Rn, 14C, 3He) Bill Jenkins Problem set 4 due
26 Final Exam     Final exam