Isotooppigeokemia

Isotooppigeokemia is a branch of geochemistry that focuses on the study of stable and radiogenic isotopes in geological materials. Isotopes are variants of an element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons, resulting in different atomic masses. In geochemistry, isotopes are used as tracers to understand geological processes and the history of the Earth.

Stable isotopes, which do not decay over time, are used to study various geological processes such as weathering, sediment transport, and fluid-rock interactions. For example, the ratio of oxygen-18 to oxygen-16 in minerals can provide insights into the temperature and isotopic composition of ancient oceans.

Radiogenic isotopes, on the other hand, are produced through radioactive decay and are used to determine the age of rocks and minerals. The most commonly used radiogenic isotope system in geochemistry is uranium-lead (U-Pb) dating, which is used to date rocks that are millions to billions of years old.

Isotooppigeokemia plays a crucial role in understanding the Earth's history, as it provides a way to trace the movement of elements and compounds through the Earth's systems. By analyzing the isotopic composition of rocks, minerals, and fluids, geochemists can reconstruct past environments, track the sources of materials, and understand the processes that have shaped the Earth over time.