ISOTOPE GEOLOGY
COURSE OUTLINE
**Introduction : Atomic Structure
**Radioactive Isotopes
Decay Equations
Decay Mechanisms
Decay Schemes for Rb-Sr, Sm-Nd and (U+Th)-Pb Systems
**Geochronological Applications
Rb-Sr and Sm-Nd Systems
U-Pb Systems
**Geochemical Applications: Isotopes as Tracers of
Earth’s Evolution
Isotope Correlation Diagram
Concept of Crustal Residence Age
Utilization as Petrogenetic Tracers
**Stable Isotopes
Notation
Distribution in Nature
Oxygen & Hydrogen-Isotopes
Sulphur-Isotopes
**Rare Gases
Variations in Isotope Ratios
He-Isotopes
Main Components and Terrestrial Reservoirs
Relation to Tectonic
Setting
**Isotopes in Mineral Deposit Exploration
Age of Formation of Mineral Deposits
Geothermometry Applications
Source of Ore-Bearing Fluids
Source of Elements in Ore-Bearing Fluids
**Isotopes in Geothermal Exploration and Development
Sources of Geothermal Fluids
Dating of Geothermal Fluids
Geothermometry Applications
GRADING
Presentations and Discussions on Related Papers
Take-Home Exam(s)
Final
Exam
Term
Project
REFERENCE BOOKS
Faure, G. , 1986 (2nd
edition), Principles of Isotope Geology : John Wiley and Sons,
Bowen, R., 1988, Isotopes in the Earth Sciences :
Elsevier,
De Paolo, D.J., 1988, Neodymium Isotope
Geochemistry : Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 187p.
Ozima, M. and Podosek, F.A., 1983, Noble gas Geochemistry : Cambridge University Press, 367
p.
Dickin,
A., 1995. Radiogenic Isotope Geology: Cambridge University
Press, 490 p.
Attendorn, H. G.
and Bowen, R., 1996 (2nd edition). Radioactive and Stable Isotope Geology : Chapman
and Hall, 522 p.