"Isotope geochemistry is an aspect of geology based upon the study of natural variations in the relative abundances of isotopes of various elements."
It is the study of how isotopes can be used to understand biological and geological processes.
Isotopes and isotopic fractionation: Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have different numbers of neutrons in their nucleus. Isotopic fractionation is the natural process where isotopes are separated from each other based on their mass. Isotopic analysis involves measuring and interpreting the differences in isotopic ratios between samples.
Carbon isotopes: Carbon has two stable isotopes, carbon-12 and carbon-13. Carbon-14 is a radioactive isotope that is used for dating organic materials. Carbon isotopes are important in studying carbon cycling in ecosystems and the impact of human activities such as fossil fuel combustion on the environment.
Oxygen isotopes: Oxygen has three stable isotopes, oxygen-16, oxygen-17, and oxygen-18. Oxygen isotopes are used to study climate change, the water cycle, and the evolution of life on Earth.
Nitrogen isotopes: Nitrogen has two stable isotopes, nitrogen-14 and nitrogen-15. Nitrogen isotopes are used to study nitrogen cycling in ecosystems, the nitrogen cycle, and the impact of human activities such as fertilizer use on the environment.
Sulphur isotopes: Sulphur has four stable isotopes, sulphur-32, sulphur-33, sulphur-34, and sulphur-36. Sulphur isotopes are used to study sulphur cycling in ecosystems, the sulphur cycle, and the origin of marine sediments.
Radiogenic isotopes: Radiogenic isotopes are isotopes that were not present in the original material but were created by the radioactive decay of other elements. Radiogenic isotopes are used for dating rocks, determining the age of the Earth, and understanding the evolution of the solar system.
Stable isotopes in mineralogy: Stable isotopes can be used to study mineral formation and chemical reactions in rocks. Isotopic analysis of minerals can provide information about the temperature and pressure conditions under which they were formed.
Isotopic tracers in biogeochemistry: Isotopic tracers are isotopes that are added to a system to track the movement of materials through that system. Isotopic tracers are used to study nutrient cycling in ecosystems, the fate of pollutants in the environment, and the origin of rocks and minerals.
Isotopic biosignatures: Isotopic biosignatures are isotopic ratios that are specific to certain types of organisms or metabolic processes. Isotopic biosignatures are used to study the evolution of life on Earth, the origin of life, and the search for life on other planets.
Isotope ratio mass spectrometry: Isotope ratio mass spectrometry is a technique used to measure isotopic ratios in samples. Isotope ratio mass spectrometry is used in a wide variety of fields, including geology, environmental science, archaeology, and forensics.
Carbon isotopes: Carbon isotopes can be used to track the movement of carbon between living organisms and their environment. The ratio of carbon-13 to carbon-12 in organic matter can provide information about photosynthesis, respiration, and decomposition processes.
Oxygen isotopes: Oxygen isotopes can be used to understand past climate change and environmental conditions. The ratio of oxygen-18 to oxygen-16 in ice cores, sediment layers, and fossils, can provide information about temperature, precipitation, and ocean currents.
Nitrogen isotopes: Nitrogen isotopes can be used to study the nitrogen cycle in ecosystems. The ratio of nitrogen-15 to nitrogen-14 in soils, plants, and animals can provide information about nitrogen fixation, nitrification, denitrification, and other processes.
Sulfur isotopes: Sulfur isotopes can be used to study the sulfur cycle in ecosystems. The ratio of sulfur-34 to sulfur-32 in rocks, sediments, and fossils can provide information about the origin and evolution of different sulfur compounds.
Strontium isotopes: Strontium isotopes can be used to trace the movement of water and minerals in the environment. The ratio of strontium-87 to strontium-86 in rocks, soils, and water can provide information about the geological history and hydrology of a region.
Uranium isotopes: Uranium isotopes can be used to study the age and formation of rocks, minerals, and fossils. The ratio of uranium-238 to lead-206 or uranium-235 to lead-207 can provide information about the time elapsed since a rock or mineral formed.
"Variations in isotopic abundance are measured by isotope ratio mass spectrometry."
"Variations in isotopic abundance can reveal information about the ages and origins of rock, air or water bodies, or processes of mixing between them."
"Stable isotope geochemistry is largely concerned with isotopic variations arising from mass-dependent isotope fractionation."
"Radiogenic isotope geochemistry is concerned with the products of natural radioactivity."
"Isotope geochemistry is an aspect of geology based upon the study of natural variations in the relative abundances of isotopes of various elements."
"Variations in isotopic abundance are measured by isotope ratio mass spectrometry."
"Variations in isotopic abundance can reveal information about the ages and origins of rock, air or water bodies, or processes of mixing between them."
"Stable isotope geochemistry is largely concerned with isotopic variations arising from mass-dependent isotope fractionation."
"Radiogenic isotope geochemistry is concerned with the products of natural radioactivity."
"Isotope geochemistry is an aspect of geology based upon the study of natural variations in the relative abundances of isotopes of various elements."
"Variations in isotopic abundance are measured by isotope ratio mass spectrometry."
"Variations in isotopic abundance can reveal information about the ages and origins of rock, air or water bodies, or processes of mixing between them."
"Stable isotope geochemistry is largely concerned with isotopic variations arising from mass-dependent isotope fractionation."
"Radiogenic isotope geochemistry is concerned with the products of natural radioactivity."
"Isotope geochemistry is an aspect of geology based upon the study of natural variations in the relative abundances of isotopes of various elements."
"Variations in isotopic abundance are measured by isotope ratio mass spectrometry."
"Variations in isotopic abundance can reveal information about the ages and origins of rock, air or water bodies, or processes of mixing between them."
"Stable isotope geochemistry is largely concerned with isotopic variations arising from mass-dependent isotope fractionation."
"Radiogenic isotope geochemistry is concerned with the products of natural radioactivity."