Sierra Nevada Aquatic Research Laboratory

22 Oct, 10 AM - 24 Oct, 07 AM

Course number: Geol 570 Units: 4.5 Taught by: Prof. Laura Rademacher Full Course Title: Seminar on current topics in isotope hydrology Short description: The proposed course is developed around recent literature and focuses on the application of contemporary isotopic techniques to hydrologic and hydrogeologic questions regarding water quality and water supply. Emphasis will be placed on issues and concerns relevant to California. Expanded course outline: A comprehensive discussion of pertinent background and historical information provided by the instructor will provide the framework of this course. These general materials will be supplemented with readings of recent peer-reviewed articles. Two field trips (one to Valentine Camp) will be the basis of a class project. Topics covered will include: ? Relationship between climate and water resources ? Impact of agricultural processes on water quality ? Effects of artificial storage and recovery on groundwater resources ? Impact of fire on surface water resources and flood forcasting ? Water quality and water resource problems in the west ? Interactions of humans and the water cycle Techniques discussed will include: ? Geochemical and isotopic hydrograph separations ? Groundwater age dating ? Isotopic tracking of contaminant transport ? Isotopic relationships of redox sensitive contaminants. Field trip outline: Valentine Camp (10/22-10/24) ? housing requested for students and instructor at Valentine Camp. Friday afternoon: arrival; intro to Valentine and NRS Friday evening: Class discussion on Sierra Nevada geology, climate, and hydrology; finalize strategy for class project Saturday day: Class project ? Visit key sampling locations and collect water and vegetation samples for isotopic analyses. (Key sampling locations include Mammoth Creek and springs in/around Mammoth Creek watershed. Sampling protocol for water samples consists of field probe measurements, filtering water, and filling bottles. Vegetation sampling consists of picking one leaf from plants of interest). No animal or plant species should be adversely affected. Saturday evening: Organize/prepare samples and introduction to Sunday sites Sunday: Tour of Mono lake and surrounding area; discussion of previous studies of the lake and water resources in the Sierra Nevada and Southern California, including those using isotopic techniques.

Visit #5923 @Sierra Nevada Aquatic Research Laboratory

Approved

Under Project # 4582 | Class

Isotope hydrology course field trip

faculty - University of the Pacific

Reservation Members(s)

Laura Rademacher Oct 22 - 24, 2004 (3 days)
Group of 12 Undergraduate Student Oct 22 - 24, 2004 (3 days)

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