Environmental Tracers
Code: 106775 ECTS Credits: 6| Degree | Type | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Sciences | OP | 4 |
Contact
- Name:
- Valenti Rodellas Vila
- Email:
- valenti.rodellas@uab.cat
Teachers
- Muntsa Roca Marti
Teaching groups languages
You can view this information at the end of this document.
Prerequisites
None.
Objectives and Contextualisation
Environmental tracers are isotopes, elements, or compounds—natural or artificial—widely distributed in the environment and used to model or quantify various environmental processes. The aim of this course is to provide a foundational understanding of the use of environmental tracers, whether stable or radioactive, and their application in fields such as hydrology, geology, ecology, and oceanography. It will be explained how variations in the distribution of these elements and their isotopic composition in various materials can be used to determine sources (origin), timescales (dating), transformations, and transport linked to environmental processes.
Environmental tracers will be presented as essential tools for understanding how different environmental compartments (atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, etc.) function—both today and for reconstructing past conditions. The course will also highlight the importance of tracers in the development of sustainable management policies aimed at understanding, managing, and protecting various ecosystems.
Learning Outcomes
- CM36 (Competence) Incorporate the use of environmental tracers or basic analytical techniques into the characterisation of specific processes of hydrology, oceanography, or pollutant dispersion.
- CM39 (Competence) Transmit general scientific information associated with an environmental problem to a general audience appropriately.
- KM46 (Knowledge) Identify the most important chemical and geological processes in the different environmental compartments (hydrosphere, soil and atmosphere).
- KM47 (Knowledge) Recognise the way in which human activity has an impact on the function of physical vectors (water, soil, oceans, atmosphere) in the natural environment.
- KM49 (Knowledge) Recognise the techniques and tools for sampling, analysis and environmental tracers.
- SM47 (Skill) Analyse changes in the physical environment caused by natural or anthropogenic action based on the data available.
- SM48 (Skill) Apply the main stages of the analytical procedure, including the collection and analysis of samples, for the study of the physical environment.
Content
Part 1: Introduction to Environmental Tracers
- Nuclear and atomic structure
- Isotopic fractionation and equilibrium
- Radioactive decay and secular equilibrium
- Types of tracers (radioactive, stable, biomarkers, etc.)
- Archives (sediments, ice, corals, trees, pollen, etc.)
Part 2: Environmental Applications of Tracers
- Hydrology: characterization of groundwater ages and sources
- Paleoclimatology: dating and climate reconstruction
- Oceanography: ocean circulation, sedimentation rates
- Ecology: food webs and nutrient origins
- Forensics: identification of contaminant sources in the environment
Activities and Methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type: Directed | |||
| Laboratory practices | 6 | 0.24 | CM36, KM49, SM47, SM48, CM36 |
| Lectures | 35 | 1.4 | CM36, CM39, KM46, KM47, KM49, SM47, CM36 |
| Practical sessions | 7 | 0.28 | CM36, SM47, SM48, CM36 |
| Type: Supervised | |||
| Tutoring sessions | 2 | 0.08 | CM36, KM46, KM47, CM36 |
| Type: Autonomous | |||
| Preparation of work, resolution of cases, reading and study of recevide information | 95 | 3.8 | CM36, KM46, KM47, KM49, SM47, SM48, CM36 |
The course consists of theoretical classes (lectures), practical problem-solving sessions, and laboratory exercises.
The theoretical program will be delivered mainly by the teaching staff, complemented by animations and videos related to the topics covered in class. All materials used by instructors will be available on the virtual platform. The theoretical part will also include seminars by expert professionals in environmental tracers from various disciplines. Through these sessions, students acquire the foundational knowledge of the course, which they must reinforce with personal study of the topics presented.
In the problem-solving sessions, classroom exercises on the application of environmental tracers will be tackled, encouraging active participation and experiential learning. The course also includes mandatory laboratory practicals where students will identify the basic characteristics of environmental tracers.
Finally, the course will involve a group project on the specific application of an environmental tracer, to be delivered as an oral presentation.
Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.
Assessment
Continous Assessment Activities
| Title | Weighting | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Communication of group work | 30 | 1 | 0.04 | CM36, CM39, KM46, KM47, SM47, SM48 |
| Midterm exam 1 | 35 | 2 | 0.08 | CM36, KM46, KM47, KM49, SM47, SM48 |
| Midterm exam 2 | 35 | 2 | 0.08 | CM36, KM46, KM47, KM49, SM47, SM48 |
70 % of the final grade is calculated based on the average of the scores from two independent midterm exams. Each exam will include theoretical and practical questions.
The remaining 30 % of the final grade corresponds to the grade for the group presentation on the application of environmental tracers.
To pass the course, the overall average must be at least 5 out of 10, and each midterm exam score must be at least 4 out of 10. To be eligible for evaluation, the student must have attended the laboratory sessions and submitted the group project.
Retake: Students who do not reach the minimum passing score may take a make‑up exam for one or both midterms, depending on which scores need improvement. The group project grade is not eligible for retake.
Students who do not attend any assessment components (midterm exams and group project) will receive a final grade of NOT ASSESSABLE.
Single evaluation option: Students wishing to opt for the single‑evaluation scheme must inform the instructor before the first midterm. This option consists of a comprehensive final exam covering the entire course syllabus, weighted at 70 % of the final grade, to be held on the same day as the second midterm. The same retake policy applies as in continuous assessment.
Students choosing the single evaluation option must attend all in‑person laboratory sessions and submit the group project (the remaining 30 % of the grade).
Bibliography
It will be made available at the beginning of the course.
Software
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Groups and Languages
Please note that this information is provisional until 30 November 2025. You can check it through this link. To consult the language you will need to enter the CODE of the subject.
| Name | Group | Language | Semester | Turn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (PAUL) Classroom practices | 1 | Catalan | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (PLAB) Practical laboratories | 1 | Catalan | first semester | afternoon |
| (TE) Theory | 1 | Catalan | first semester | morning-mixed |