*Participants and presenters outside the Geology Building.*

On 14–15 July, the BIOGRIP Soil and Water Node hosted a two-day short course on the Applications of Environmental Isotopes in Water at Stellenbosch University (SU).

The course was presented by Dr Roger Diamond (BIOGRIP/UCT), Dr Janine Colling (BIOGRIP/SU), and Volante Moonsamy (BIOGRIP/SU), bringing together 14 participants from diverse backgrounds for hands-on training in stable isotope applications.

Course Highlights

The course introduced the theory behind oxygen (18O/16O) and hydrogen (D/H) stable isotopes and demonstrated how these tracers are used to investigate groundwater recharge, water sources, flow paths and environmental change. Participants explored isotope fractionation processes through lectures, field sampling demonstrations and laboratory practicals.

Day One combined classroom sessions with a field visit to a campus borehole where live measurements of temperature, conductivity and radon were made, followed by practical demonstrations in the BIOGRIP Soil and Water Node laboratory. Attendees observed sample preparation procedures and isotope analysis using the Los Gatos Research (LGR) laser instrument, with opportunities to process their own samples.

On Day Two, participants were introduced to Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) workflows for laser-based isotope data processing before learning how to interpret oxygen and hydrogen isotope datasets for environmental and hydrological applications.

Building Capacity

The short course reflects BIOGRIP's commitment to strengthening research infrastructure and developing analytical skills across South Africa. By combining theoretical foundations with practical field and laboratory experience, participants gained valuable knowledge that can be applied to groundwater investigations, hydrology, environmental monitoring and water resource management.

BIOGRIP thanks the organisers, presenters and all participants for contributing to an engaging and successful training event.