Stabilizotópelemzések

Stabilizotópelemzések, or stable isotope analysis, is a scientific technique used to measure the relative abundance of stable isotopes in a sample. Stable isotopes are atoms of the same element that have different numbers of neutrons but do not undergo radioactive decay. Their ratios in a sample can provide valuable information about the origin, history, and processes that have affected the sample.

The technique typically involves mass spectrometry, which separates ions based on their mass-to-charge ratio. By measuring the precise ratios of different isotopes of elements like carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, and sulfur, scientists can infer a wide range of information. For instance, stable isotope analysis can be used to determine the diet and migration patterns of animals, trace the sources of pollution, authenticate food products, and study past climate conditions. Different environmental or biological processes preferentially utilize certain isotopes, leading to measurable differences in isotopic ratios that can act as a fingerprint for those processes.

In environmental science, for example, the ratio of oxygen isotopes in water can indicate its origin (e.g., rain, snowmelt, or groundwater) and help track water movement. In archaeology, carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis of human remains can reveal dietary habits and social status. The interpretation of these analyses relies on understanding the specific isotopic fractionation that occurs during various natural and biological processes.