Sediments used for climate and environmental reconstructions come in many different forms (including lacustrine, marine, peat, terrestrial and aeolian deposits) and can be characterized by their grain size, shape, sedimentary facies, chemical and biological composition and accumulation/sedimentation rate.
Isobar Science and Beta Analytic’s bones webinar focuses on C-14 and U-Th methods for bone samples. Topics include optimal sample types, common issues, and how to prepare bone samples for isotopic analysis.
In geochemical research, stable and unstable isotopes are used to understand the chemistry behind natural processes. Isotopes are different forms of a single element, with differing numbers of neutrons within their nucleus, resulting in different atomic masses.
Stable and radioactive isotopes can be analysed in groundwater and surface water samples in order to assess the magnitude and origin of pollution, rate of pollution infiltration into the environment, and timing of water interactions with the atmosphere.
The origin and movement of atmospheric dust can be estimated by analysing the geochemistry of dust collected directly from the atmosphere or from the dust layers found within ice cores or lacustrine and ocean sediment cores.
Using isotopic analysis of skeletal remains and forensic evidence, one can reconstruct human profiles, analyse the environmental conditions antemortem and estimate the time of death. Other forensics-related investigations using isotope geochemistry include the analysis of trace evidence materials as well as provenancing illegal wildlife, bullets, narcotics, and other forensic evidence.
Register here to view Isobar Science’s free webinar on Lead Isotopes and Applications.
Live Webinar: March 24, 2021
Speakers: Dr. Maren Pauly and Dr. Arash Sharifi
