Background and objectives
Stable isotopes differs in the amount of neutrons, this leads to non-homogenous distribution throughout the environment creating spatial or temporal patterns. Those patterns can provide us information about physical and chemical processes at the single organism level as well as to trace food webs, understand paleodiets or follow whole ecosystem nutrient cycling. With understanding of the fractionation patterns we can use the stable isotope analysis in wide range of scientific fields, namely in ecology, physiology, geology, geochemistry, paleooceanography and others.
Scientists from different fields evolved theoretical models which, using stable isotopes analyses, allow us to determine:
- calculation of water use efficiency of plants
- distinguish between C3 and C4 metabolism
- labelling with stable isotopes
- origin of plants/animals
- unravelling of food webs
- diets recognition
Scientists from different fields evolved theoretical models which, using stable isotopes analyses, allow us to determine:
- calculation of water use efficiency of plants
- distinguish between C3 and C4 metabolism
- labelling with stable isotopes
- origin of plants/animals
- unravelling of food webs
- diets recognition
Aim of the isotopic school
- to provide the students information about the stable isotopes (C, N, O, S) from the basics to the applications in plant research, ecology and environmental research
- to brainstorm and discuss about the potential of stabel isotope methods in the research
- to train students in discussing the datasets and in presenting their own results in oral and written form
- to brainstorm and discuss about the potential of stabel isotope methods in the research
- to train students in discussing the datasets and in presenting their own results in oral and written form
The course structure
The course is divided in two parts:
Morning lectures that give you the know-how, theoretical backroung, information about the methodology and applications of stable isotope analyses
Student research projects to work on in the afternoon.
- whole week projects of small groups with 2-4 persons that are led by one or more lecturers
Successful participants will receive a certificate worth 6 ECTS points (European Credit Transfer System).
Morning lectures that give you the know-how, theoretical backroung, information about the methodology and applications of stable isotope analyses
Student research projects to work on in the afternoon.
- whole week projects of small groups with 2-4 persons that are led by one or more lecturers
Successful participants will receive a certificate worth 6 ECTS points (European Credit Transfer System).