Module GL3333: Stable Isotopes & Groundwater Quality - Environmental Science Students Only

Contact hours & timing:

Module Learning Aims: 

(1) To acquire an outline knowledge of how stable isotopes behave in nature and how they can be studied, (2) to acquire an outline knowledge of aquifer hydrochemistry and contaminant processes with relevance to groundwater quality.

Module Content: 

The Stable Isotope component of this module aims to provide a broad introduction to stable isotopes and the use of nitrogen, carbon and oxygen isotopes in studies related to the interaction of the biosphere, the oceans and the atmosphere. The theory and technology behind isotope ratio mass spectrometry is presented and a series of applications of the technique will be covered.

Students will be presented with a series of hypotheses and data sets from current research and asked to interpret them. Testing the hypothesis of you are what you eat will provide an introduction to nitrogen and organic carbon isotopes. Using simple mass balance equations will give insight on the metabolism and diets of badgers and tropical birds. Interpretation of oxygen isotopes in Irish rainwater and groundwater will provide a background to advanced studies on how water travels through a peat bog.

The Groundwater Quality component of the module aims to provide an understanding of factors affecting groundwater quality, and of how groundwater resources can be managed to maintain and improve water quality. It provides a training in the basic research tools used in groundwater contamination work, and introduces students to the application of these tools, with Irish and international case examples. Specific topics covered include an introduction to hydrogeology and groundwater – surface water interaction, groundwater chemistry and natural groundwater quality problems, groundwater quality issues in rural and industrial settings, groundwater quality monitoring, groundwater vulnerability and protection.

Learning outcomes:

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

• outline the fundamental behaviour of stable isotopes in various systems and state how they can be used to answer scientific questions
• outline the basic methods of sample preparation and instrumentation used in stable isotope research
• outline aquifer hydrochemistry and contaminant transport processes
• assess groundwater quality problems in both rural and industrial settings
• evaluate groundwater vulnerability to pollution, identify and use groundwater protection schemes and appreciate their data requirements

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