2023 Faculty Courses School of Science Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences Graduate major in Earth and Planetary Sciences
Advanced Earth and Space Sciences H
- Academic unit or major
- Graduate major in Earth and Planetary Sciences
- Instructor(s)
- Yuichiro Ueno
- Class Format
- Lecture (Face-to-face)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 5-6 Mon (石川台2号館Ishikawadai Bldg. 2 307) / 5-6 Thu (石川台2号館Ishikawadai Bldg. 2 307)
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- EPS.A424
- Number of credits
- 200
- Course offered
- 2023
- Offered quarter
- 2Q
- Syllabus updated
- Jul 8, 2025
- Language
- English
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
This course will examine principle of stable isotope fractionation. First, equilibrium and kinetic isotope effects are systematically studied. Then, molecular-level analysis of stable isotopes (isotopologues) will be studied. Latter half of this course will examine application of stable isotopes to geothermometer, biological tracer and material cycle analysis.
Course description and aims
Learning basics of stable isotope geochemistry and its application. Understanding principle of isotope fractionation. Understanding method to analyze stable isotopes.
Keywords
Stable isotopes, Geochemistry, Cosmochemistry
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
Student should submit attendance report every time as well as final report at the end of this course.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Introduction | |
| Class 2 | Principle of stable isotope geochemistry 1： Stable and radiogenic isotopes | |
| Class 3 | Principle of stable isotope geochemistry 2： Equilibrium of isotope exchange reaction | |
| Class 4 | Principle of stable isotope geochemistry 3： Partition function ratio | |
| Class 5 | Principle of stable isotope geochemistry 4： Kinetic Isotope Effect | |
| Class 6 | Principle of stable isotope geochemistry 5： Fractionation by biological metabolism | |
| Class 7 | Principle of stable isotope geochemistry 6： Mass dependent fractionation low | |
| Class 8 | Principle of stable isotope geochemistry 7： Isotopologues | |
| Class 9 | Method of stable isotope analysis 1: Mass spectrometer | |
| Class 10 | Method of stable isotope analysis 2: Spectroscopy | |
| Class 11 | Application of stable isotopes 1: Geothermometer | |
| Class 12 | Application of stable isotopes 2: Biomarker | |
| Class 13 | Application of stable isotopes 3: Material cycle (geological time scale) | |
| Class 14 | Application of stable isotopes 4: Material cycle (environmental issues) | |
| Class 15 | Application of stable isotopes 5: Cosmochemistry/Atmospheric chemistry |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
Stable Isotope Geochemistry 6th edition (2009), Jochen Hoefs, Springer
Stable Isotope Geochemistry (Reviews in Mineralogy & Geochemistry volume 43) Valley & Cole (2001), Mineralogical Society of America
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Stable Isotope Geochemistry (1996) Sakai & Matsuhisa
Isotope Geochemistry, (2011) White
Evaluation methods and criteria
Student performance will be assessed by attendance report every time (50%) and by final report (50%).
Related courses
- EPS.A203 ： Introduction to History of the Earth
- EPS.A334 ： Biogeoscience
- EPS.A330 ： Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry
Prerequisites
None