Isotópelemzés

Isotópelemzés refers to the analytical technique of determining the relative abundance of isotopes in a sample. Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have different numbers of neutrons, and therefore different atomic masses. This difference in neutron count leads to slight variations in physical and chemical properties, which can be exploited for analytical purposes.

The principle behind isotópelemzés lies in the precise measurement of these mass differences. Techniques such as mass spectrometry are commonly employed to ionize the sample and then separate the ions based on their mass-to-charge ratio. By comparing the abundance of different isotopes within a sample to known standards or to each other, valuable information can be obtained.

Isotópelemzés has diverse applications across various scientific disciplines. In geology and geochemistry, it is used for dating rocks and minerals, tracing the origin of materials, and understanding Earth's processes. Environmental science utilizes isotópelemzés to track the movement of pollutants, study climate change through ice core analysis, and verify the authenticity of food and water. Forensic science employs it to determine the origin of evidence, such as drugs or human remains. In biology and medicine, it aids in metabolic studies, tracing the pathways of drugs, and understanding physiological processes. The isotopic composition of a sample can serve as a unique fingerprint, providing insights that are often unobtainable through other analytical methods.