The students will gain knowledge on the significance and use of stable isotopes in ecological research. Specific examples will be taken from the literature. Students will learn the calculations and techniques required to handle stable isotopes in ecological research. Lectures will be in English.
Main topics
- Introduction to stable isotopes (what they are, how they are detected, units of measurements)
- Natural abundance and enrichment
- Mixing and fractionation
- The most important isotopes in ecological research
- Rare isotopes in ecological research
- Compound specific analysis
- Instructor: Francesca Scandellari