The course introduces the scientific concepts and typical applications of tracers in biogeochemistry. The course covers stable and radioactive isotopes, geochemical tracers and biomarkers and their application in biogeochemical processes as well as regional and global cycles. The course provides essential theoretical background for the lab course "Isotopic and Organic Tracers Laboratory".

This course will illustrate how different tracers and isotopes are used in natural systems. Here especially the processes (transformation, timescales) that take place and can be revealed by tracers/isotopes will be demonstrated.