Elements, isotopes and organic matter in chemostratigraphy 2014: applications, limitations and implications for global enviromental change

Course Instructor: HUGH JENKYNS

Hugh Jenkyns has worked for many years on the palaeoceanography and palaeoclimatology of Mesozoic sediments and has undertaken fieldwork throughout the Alpine-mediterranean region, as well as participating in 3 deep-sea drilling legs in the Pacific Ocean.  His research methodology primarily involves the application of isotope ratios (carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur, iron and other transition metals) to palaeoenvironmental problems. He co-authored the first paper on Oceanic Anoxic Events. He was until recently co-editor of Geology, and lectures at Oxford University.

Background to the course

The use of isotopes in stratigraphy, palaeoclimatology and palaeoceanography has increased enormously over the last few decades.  Early studies concentrated on the significance of oxygen-isotope ratios in macrofossils and microfossils but since the early nineteen-eighties the use of carbon-isotope ratios, both as a monitor of change in the global carbon cycle as well as a tool for stratigraphic correlation, has become increasingly important. Strontium-isotope ratios similarly offer an aid to global correlation in the marine realm as well as indicating the relative importance of hydothermal fluxes versus continental weathering as inputs to the oceans.  Isotope systems that respond to changes in the redox state of the oceans, such as sulphur and nitrogen, are also under continued investigation, as are the relationships between the carbon and sulphur cycles. With the advent of the latest generation of mass spectrometers, transition-metal isotopes (e.g. Fe, Os, Cr, Mo) and rare-earth metals such as neodymium are being exploited in palaeoceanography. Early studies of calcium and lithium isotopes are also promising as a proxy for weathering.  Increasingly, the stratigraphical distribution of redox-sensitive elements such as cerium, manganese and iodine is proving valuable for understanding changing conditions in ancient water masses.

The course will deal with the significance of a number of sedimentary parameters

• organic carbon in sediments

• manganese and iodine in carbonates

• carbon isotopes (in both marine and terrestrial organic matter; in shallow-water and pelagic carbonates)

• oxygen isotopes in carbonates

• strontium isotopes in carbonates and fossils

• nitrogen isotopes in organic matter

• sulphur isotopes in fossils and carbonates

• neodymium isotopes in fish teeth

• new isotope systems (lithium, calcium, iron, molybdenum, chromium, osmium)

• discussion of case histories from the sedimentary record

Most examples will be taken from the Mesozoic sedimentary record.

The field excursion on the 3rd July will examine the sedimentary expression of deep-water Jurassic (Toarcian) and Cretaceous (early Aptian and Cenomanian–Turonian) Oceanic Anoxic Events in the Belluno Basin of the Southern Alps.

COURSE VENUE

The course will take place at Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Università di Ferrara, Via Saragat 1, 44100, Ferrara, Italy. The City of Ferrara lies ~50 km to the north of Bologna in Emilia–Romagna. The city has wide streets and numerous ‘palazzi’ built in the 14th and 15th century. Much of the city is pedestrianized and bicycles are ubiquitous. Sometimes referred to as ‘Italy’s best-kept secret‘ the city has been rated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO on account of its architectural elegance and cultural significance. The University of Ferrara was founded in 1391.

POLO SCIENTIFICO TECNOLOGICO UNIVERSITY OF FERRARA DIPARTIMENTO DI SCIENZE DELLA TERRA Via Saragat 1 - Blocco B - 1° piano 44122 Ferrara

How to get to Ferrara

• by train: Ferrovie dello Stato, Railway Station, Piazza Stazione Ferrara
• by car: Motorway: A13 Bologna/Padova (exits: Ferrara Nord and Ferrara Sud)
• by plane: 4 airports are located around Ferrara: BOLOGNA (G. Marconi Airport, 45km from Ferrara), VENEZIA (M. Polo Airport, 110km from Ferrara), VERONA-VILLAFRANCA (Catullo Airport, 100km from Ferrara) and FORLI (L. Ridolfi Airport, 120km from Ferrara

NEW VENUE COURSE!!!!!

IUSS Ferrara - University Institute for Higher Studies, Italy

Via delle Scienze 41/B - 44121 Ferrara

http://iuss.unife.it/?set_language=en

COURSE INFORMATION

Language:

The course will be taught in English.

Documentation:

Those participants requiring documentary evidence that they have attended the course will receive a certificate signed by Hugh Jenkyns.

Number of participants:

Minimum number of course participants: 25

Maximum number of course participants: 35

REGISTRATION DETAILS

Costs of attendance

 The fees include course materials, lunches, a social dinner and excursion to Belluno Basin (bus transport and packed lunch).

BELLUNO BASIN

Those interested in reserving a place on the course are asked to complete the pre-registration form attached below and send it to the organizers before March 31st, 2014. Methods of payment, travel details and information on lodging will be communicated to those that have submitted the pre-registration form.

click to download the registration form and

ACCOMMODATION

The Course Secretariat offers to the COURSE PARTICIPANTS a selection of Hotels (B&B, 3 and 4 stars category) located in the city centre and just a few minutes distant by bus or taxi to the Course Venue.

Hotel Booking will be mande directly by the participants.

Booking reference: CONSORZIO FERRARA RICERCHE

Hotel payment is the responsibility of participants and shall be be made directly to the hotel upon departure.

Otherwise, we suggest to visit the following web addresses:

Official website of Ferrara and its Province,  a comprehensive list of all type of accommodation in Ferrara.

SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE

Contacts and information on the Course

Prof. Daniele MASETTI

Earth Science Department, University of Ferrara

msd@unife.it

Tel.: +39 0532 974717

ORGANIZING SECRETARIAT

Contacts and administration information

Consorzio Ferrara Ricerche Ufficio Convegni ed Attività Formative Via Saragat 1 - Blocco B - 1° piano convegni@unife.it Tel.: +39 0532 762404