Rare Earth Elements (REE) The rare earth elements (REE) are the most useful of all trace elements, with significant applications in igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic petrology. The REE comprise the series of metals with atomic… Rare Earth Elements (REE)
What is an Oxygen Isotope Thermometry One of the first applications of the study of oxygen isotopes to geological problems was geothermometry. Urey (1947) suggested that the enrichment of 18O in calcium carbonate relative to seawater… What is the meaning of Isotope Thermometry
Sulphur Isotopes There are four stable isotopes of sulphur: The ratio between the two most abundant isotopes, 34S/32S, is essential in geochemistry. It is expressed in parts per thousand relative to the troilite (FeS) reference… Sulphur Isotopes Geochemistry
Carbon Isotopes Carbon has two stable isotopes with the following abundances: Measurements are made relative to a standard belemnite sample known as PDB – Belemnitella americana from the Cretaceous Peedee formation, South Carolina. The original… Carbon Isotope Fractionation and Distribution in Nature
Hydrogen Isotopes There are two naturally occurring stable isotopes of hydrogen, which occur in the following proportions: Hydrogen isotopes show the largest relative mass difference between two stable isotopes. This leads to significant variations in… Hydrogen Isotopes: Measurement, Variations, and Applications in Geological Studies
What are the stable isotopes of oxygen and their abundances? There are three stable isotopes of oxygen which have the following abundances: The isotope ratio 18O/16O is typically measured in oxygen isotope studies, and δ… Oxygen Isotopes and variations of delta 18 O in nature
Understanding the physical and chemical controls on stable isotope fractionation is vital to a correct interpretation of measured stable isotope ratios. When the fractionation processes are well understood, the measured δ-values can be used to… Physical and Chemical Controls on Stable Isotope Fractionation
What is Isotope Fractionation? Isotope fractionation is the process by which stable isotopes are separated based on their mass rather than their chemical properties. This natural process occurs in three main ways: 1. Isotopic Exchange… Isotope Fractionation and Mathematical Approximations Used in Isotope Fractionation