IMPRS course 'Radiocarbon in Ecology and Earth System Science'

The short course provides a mix of lecturers, data interpretation, and student projects. Our course will focus on the uses of radiocarbon to understand carbon cycling with a focus on terrestrial ecosystems. However, we will include some history, the basics of radiocarbon measurement and reporting of radiocarbon data, and applications in atmospheres, oceans and dating. Lectures provide background information and go over basics that will be used to solve assigned problems. We will devote time to discussing the collection of samples in the field, avoiding contamination, choosing standards and blanks, processing and analyzing samples, and interpreting data using models. Students will be asked to briefly present their work so that we can tailor discussion to their interests.

Category: Skill & elective course
Credits: 0.2 per course day

>> Radiocarbon Short Course 2023

1.  When

early July 2024

2.  Where

MPI-BGC: B0.002

3. Agenda

Legend L = lecture, D = demonstration, P = practical

July 1 - Introduction and nomenclature (Trumbore and Steinhof)
9:00 - 10:30 History, nomenclature and radiocarbon dating applications (L)
- break
11:00 - 12:00 AMS measurements (L)
- break
13:00 - 14:30 Problem assignment and work (P)
- break
15:00 - 16:00 Student presentations / discussion of student interests (P)

July 2 - Applications and AMS measurement (Trumbore and Steinhof)
9:00 - 10:30 Radiocarbon in the atmosphere, ocean and biosphere (L)
- break
11:00 - 12:00 Lab tour (D)
- break
13:00 - 14:30 Radiocarbon in Soils, Plants and Respiration, part 1 (L)
- break
15:00 - 16:00 Student presentations / discussion of student interests (P)

July 3 - Applications of radiocarbon in MPI-BGC (Trumbore and guests)
9:00 - 10:30 Radiocarbon in Soils, Plants and Respiration, part 2 (L)
- break
11:00 - 12:00 Sample preparation (L)
- break
13:00 - 14:30 Problem assignment and work (D)
- break
15:00 - 16:00 Student presentations / discussion of student interests (P)

July 9 - Modeling of radiocarbon in the carbon cycle (Sierra)
9:00 - 10:30 Radiocarbon and the global carbon cycle: assessing the transit time of carbon through the terrestrial biosphere (L)
- break
11:00 - 12:00 Modeling radiocarbon dynamics in compartmental systems (L)
- break
13:00 - 14:30 Practical exercise using the SoilR package (P)
- break
15:00 - 16:00 Practical exercise (P)

4. Course material

Course materials will be posted here.

5. Registration

>> Register here by June 17, 2024.