MSCI 623 - Marshes, Muds and More

Spring, odd years Credits: (3) Kuehl

Natural and artificial radioisotopes are explored in the context of their applicability as a tool to measure process rates in coastal and nearshore environments. From quantifying marsh accretion to measuring sediment bioturbation, organic carbon export from surface waters, sediment-water diffusion and submarine groundwater discharge, a broad range of examples will be covered to provide students with an understanding of the background, application and limitations of these approaches. U-Th Series, Cosmogenic and “Bomb” radioisotopes are present in aquatic environments and, with a range of half-lives, allow the study of coastal processes over timescales ranging from minutes to millennia. This class will cover the underlying theory at a basic level but will focus mostly on practical application of radioisotopes to quantifying rates and dates for a range of coastal systems. The class will provide “hands on” experience in sample collection and analysis using gamma spectroscopy as a group capstone field and lab project.