Module GEOL2171: Isotopes and Climate

Department: Earth Sciences

GEOL2171: Isotopes and Climate

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To use isotopes in understanding modern environmental and climatic systems.
• Reconstruct palaeoclimatic variations throughout Earth History using isotopes and other proxies.
• To develop a better understanding of the human impact on the environment and global climate.
• To analyse future climate change predictions.

Content

• Stable isotopes (e.g., C, N, O, H, S)
• Biogeochemical cycles (carbon, nitrogen, oxygen)
• Carbon cycle and climate (CO2, carbon pump)
• Oceanography and climate (circulation, productivity, temperature)
• Climate change – theory and processes
• Geochemistry of climate proxies (sediments, ice, speleothems, tree rings, fossils)
• Geochronology: applications in palaeoclimatology (U-Th, radiocarbon, Milankovitch Cycles)
• Climate evolution through the Phanerozoic (long-term and short-term climates)
• Anthropogenic global warming: evidence-based theory and IPCC

Learning Outcomes

• To be able to describe the biogeochemical cycles of the Earth (e.g., carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, sulphur).
• Understand stable isotope systems and analysis in terms of environment and climate.
• To be able to apply the principles of stable isotope geochemistry to quantitative problem solving.
• Describe and explain the Global Meteoric Water line in terms of stable isotopes and climate.
• To describe the carbon cycle in terms of carbon dioxide and climate (modern and ancient).
• Interpret stable isotope ratios preserved in modern and ancient proxies (e.g., sediments, ice, speleothems, tree rings, carbonate fossils).
• Describe and discuss the role of the ocean in terms of modulating the carbon and water cycle.
• Describe major events in the Earth's climate evolution and relate them to variations in the climatic feedbacks.
• Describe how chronologies for geochemical proxy records of climate are developed and applied.
• Critically evaluate the precision and accuracy of a proxy record.
• To evaluate modern, anthropogenic global warming within the context of climate change over geological time.
• Acquire the ability to judge the validity of various climate proxy records.

• Will have acquired intellectual and practical skills in order to apply stable isotope geochemistry, geological principles and methodologies to develop a greater understanding of the environment and climate (modern and past).

• Prepare, process, interpret and present stable isotope data using appropriate qualitative and quantitative methods.
• Develop a critical evaluation of data and models in terms of past, present and future climate.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• The module is delivered through a mix of three-hour lectures/lab slots, supported by handouts and directed reading.
• Weekly practicals form an important component of the module by providing practical applications of the lecture material.
• An unseen written exam will test the students greater understanding, knowledge and application of the topic.
• Summative assessment is made up of two practical assessments - one per term.
• Guidance on the preparation and structure of reports and posters will be provided.
• Exam skills related to this topic will also be provided.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Weekly feedback on the practicals.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University