BIOGRIP – Isotope Course

Isotope Geochemistry and Instrumental Applications

This course introduces the conceptual and analytical foundations of isotope geochemistry, focusing on the physical basis of isotopic variation, measurement principles, and the significance of isotopic systems in understanding Earth and environmental processes.

DAY 1 – Theoretical Foundations

Session 1: Introduction to Isotope Geochemistry

IntroductionDownload

πŸ•˜ 12:30 – 14:00

  • What are isotopes?
  • Chemical Elements/Natural Abundances/atomic mass vs. isotope mass
  • Radiogenic vs Stable Isotopes

Break – 14:00 – 14:15

Session 2: Isotopes in Earth Systems

Stable IsotopesDownload

πŸ•₯ 14:15 – 16:00

  • Stable Isotopes – Overview
  • Sr isotopes – principles and fractionation
  • Delta Notation
  • C and O isotopes/mass fractionation and isotope notation (Ξ΄, Ξ΅, ratios)

πŸ“† DAY 2 – Radiogenic Isotopes, Trace Elements & Applications

Session 3: Radiogenic Isotope Systems

Radiogenic IsotopesDownload

πŸ• 9:00 – 10:30

  • U-Pb, Rb-Sr, Sm-Nd, Lu-Hf: decay, closure, applications
  • Isochrons, Concordia diagrams
  • Application to geochronology, provenance, and tectonics

Break – 10:30 – 11:00

Session 4: Analytical Techniques – Theory

SHRIMP-and-TIMS-Geochronology-–-Theory-Applications1Download
Mass-SpectrometryDownload

πŸ•’ 11:00 – 12:00

  • Overview: TIMS, MC-ICP-MS, SIMS, LA-ICP-MS
  • Sample prep & chemical separation basics
  • Matrix effects, isobaric interferences, and correction strategies

Lunch – 12:00 – 13:00

Session 5: U-Pb Carbonate and Accessory Mineral Dating

πŸ•˜ 13:00 – 14:30

  • U-Pb in calcite, titanite, zircon: methods & challenges
  • Common Pb correction (Tera-Wasserburg, 204Pb vs 207Pb)
  • Case study: Orthoceras, RioM-1, or South Atlantic carbonate sequences

Break – 14:30 – 14:45

Session 6: Trace Element Analyses and Quantification

πŸ•₯ 14:45 – 16:30

  • LA-ICP-MS trace element: resolution, calibration, standards
  • Equipment, Instrumentation
  • Applications: Minerals and Fusion Discs
  • Trace Element Mapping
  • Data processing workflows

πŸ“† DAY 3 – Biogrip Launch and Talks with Invited Speakers

Session 7: Speakers

πŸ•₯ 9:00 – 12:00

  • Ryan Tucker 9 – 9:30 – Surviving a Super Greenhouse
  • John Clemens 9:45 – 10:15 – Dating Magmatic Events at Ultra-High Spatial Resolution
  • Break 10:15 – 10:30
  • Ryan Cloete 10:30 -11:00 – From Source to Sink: Tracing Oceanic Processes with Iron (Fe) Isotopes
  • Chris Harris 11:15 – 11:45 – Oxygen isotope evidence for recycling of the crust into the mantle