The use of stable isotope analysis is central to environmental studies, providing dating methods, tracers, rate information, and fingerprints for biological, ecological and chemical processes in almost every setting. To this end, stable isotopes of several elements have been applied in terrestrial, atmospheric, and aquatic studies, both in current and ancient environments rendering powerful tracers and rate monitors. It has become an essential tool for ecosystem research, clearly designating nutrient and molecule sources, providing quantitative information using mixing models and identifying physical and chemical processes on the turnover rates of processes both at organismal and ecosystem level. Recent advances in stable isotope analysis have contributed greatly to our understanding of niche partitioning in both plants and animals; compound-specific isotope analysis has proved an important route towards discerning trophic ecology and the fate of molecules in current and past environments. The applications of stable isotope analysis are multifold and their importance to environmental studies has become vital. Clearly, this tool will continue to be indispensable in several fields of research, including studies of environmental health (pollution and contamination), environmental management, climate change, (bio)geochemistry, archaeology, paleontology and ecology. Besides further utilization of existing methodologies, novel applications will continue to be established. These will likely include discovering new isotopic and trace element characteristics of living and non-living things, but also expounding isotopic variations that are typical characteristics of various unique processes. The Stable Isotope Group of the University of Konstanz organized the Summer School 2018 on Isotope Ecology. 42 participants and 11 invited speakers interacted for three days in April discussing their projects and ideas on the topic of the Summer School ‘What can we learn from the past into the future? Stable isotopes in ancient and contemporary environments’. Several papers in issues 2 and 4 (volume 55) of the journal Isotopes in Environmental and Health Studies seek to embrace the extent of the application of stable isotope analysis related to various environmental studies including routine and recent advances. An example is the investigation by Funes et al. on trawling activities altering the trophic structure of fish communities affecting long-term modifications of trophic level change in the marine environment [1]. Paleo-diet and drinking water are in the focus of stable isotope analyses from teeth of white-tailed deers presented by Rivera-Araya et al. [2] shining a light on historic living conditions. Meier-Augenstein and Schimmelmann submitted a guide for decent exertion of stable isotope reference materials, already published in issue 2 and highly cited [3]. Two further articles from the Konstanz Summer School 2018 will still follow in volume 55.

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康斯坦茨 2018 年同位素生态学暑期学校

稳定同位素分析的使用是环境研究的核心，它为几乎所有环境中的生物、生态和化学过程提供年代测定方法、示踪剂、速率信息和指纹。为此，几种元素的稳定同位素已应用于陆地、大气和水生研究，在当前和古代环境中都可以提供强大的示踪剂和速率监测器。它已成为生态系统研究的重要工具，明确指定养分和分子来源，使用混合模型提供定量信息，并在生物体和生态系统层面识别过程周转率的物理和化学过程。稳定同位素分析的最新进展极大地促进了我们对植物和动物生态位分配的理解。化合物特异性同位素分析已被证明是辨别营养生态学和分子在当前和过去环境中的命运的重要途径。稳定同位素分析的应用是多方面的，它们对环境研究的重要性变得至关重要。显然，该工具将继续在多个研究领域不可或缺，包括环境健康（污染和污染）、环境管理、气候变化、（生物）地球化学、考古学、古生物学和生态学的研究。除了进一步利用现有方法外，还将继续建立新的应用程序。这些可能包括发现生物和非生物的新同位素和微量元素特征，还阐述了作为各种独特过程的典型特征的同位素变化。康斯坦茨大学稳定同位素小组组织了 2018 年同位素生态学暑期班。42 位参与者和 11 位受邀演讲者在 4 月份进行了为期三天的互动交流，讨论了他们关于暑期学校“我们可以从过去学到什么到未来？”这一主题的项目和想法。古代和现代环境中的稳定同位素”。《环境与健康研究中的同位素》杂志第 2 期和第 4 期（第 55 卷）中的几篇论文试图涵盖与各种环境研究（包括常规和最新进展）相关的稳定同位素分析的应用范围。一个例子是 Funes 等人的调查。关于改变鱼类群落营养结构的拖网活动，影响海洋环境营养水平变化的长期变化 [1]。古饮食和饮用水是 Rivera-Araya 等人提出的白尾鹿牙齿稳定同位素分析的重点。[2] 照亮历史的生活条件。Meier-Augenstein 和 Schimmelmann 提交了一份关于稳定同位素参考材料合理使用的指南，该指南已在第 2 期发表并被高度引用 [3]。来自康斯坦茨暑期学校 2018 的另外两篇文章仍将在第 55 卷中发布。[2] 照亮历史的生活条件。Meier-Augenstein 和 Schimmelmann 提交了一份关于稳定同位素参考材料合理使用的指南，该指南已在第 2 期发表并被高度引用 [3]。来自康斯坦茨暑期学校 2018 的另外两篇文章仍将在第 55 卷中发布。[2] 照亮历史的生活条件。Meier-Augenstein 和 Schimmelmann 提交了一份关于稳定同位素参考材料合理使用的指南，该指南已在第 2 期发表并被高度引用 [3]。来自康斯坦茨暑期学校 2018 的另外两篇文章仍将在第 55 卷中发布。