Stable Light Isotope Course
This annual course from the Stable Light Isotope Lab at UCT covers principles of stable light isotope mass spectrometry and applications in the natural environment.
The course format consists of an intensive series of daily lectures, tutorials and lab and instrument demonstrations over the course of one week. We aim to cover the theory and principles of stable light isotope research in general, and then to discuss applications in the life and earth sciences in particular.
The course will be of interest to scientists in these disciplines who wish to use stable light isotopes as a tool in their particular fields. It is intended especially for post-graduate students intending to use these approaches in their thesis research. At the end of the course, certificates of attendance are issued to those whose attendance and participation has been satisfactory.
Course content
Course convener Professor Judith Sealy will lead lectures, which progress from general principles through more detailed attention to individual light isotopes (C, N, O, H) in various kinds of materials, and their use as research tools.
Topics covered include the following:
Theory of fractionation, isotope effects, equilibria and kinetic effects
History of the field
Carbon isotopes and the carbon cycle, emphasising (i) photosynthesis, water use efficiency studies, plants and climate change in plant sciences, and (ii) animal and human foodwebs, and applications in ecology and archaeology
Nitrogen isotopes in marine and terrestrial foodwebs, nutrient cycling
Oxygen and hydrogen isotopes in hydrology
Oxygen isotopes in carbonates and other minerals, applied to oxygen isotope stratigraphy, palaeothermometry and environmental reconstruction
Brief discussion of isotopic tools applied in forensics, pollution studies, and quality control (commercial applications)
Dates: 26 - 30 May 2025
Venue: University of Cape Town
Costs: R3 000 for participants from outside UCT, and R600 for UCT students and staff. Fees cover course materials and teas (morning and afternoon). Meals and accommodation are not included.
Registration: Please use this Registration link to sign up.
Learn more: https://www.uctlightisotopes.co.za/course