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Isotope analyses, also known as isotopic analysis, refer to a set of scientific techniques that examine the relative abundances of isotopes—atoms of the same element that differ in neutron number—in natural and synthetic samples. By measuring variations in stable or radioactive isotope ratios, researchers can infer processes that have altered the composition of environmental and biological materials over time.

In geology, isotope analyses of oxygen, carbon, strontium, and neodymium are routinely used to reconstruct past climates, determine the age of volcanic ash layers, and track the movements of tectonic plates. Radiogenic isotopes such as lead-206 and lead-207, produced by uranium decay, enable geologists to date rock formations and understand the history of Earth's crust.

Archaeologists apply isotope studies to human and animal remains to trace migration patterns, dietary preferences, and burial practices. Stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen, for example, reveal the types of plants and animals that comprised ancient diets, while strontium isotope signatures can indicate geographic origin based on local geology.

In environmental science, isotope tracers are employed to monitor pollutant sources, track water pathways, and examine ecosystem nutrient cycles. Radioactive isotopes like tritium and carbon-14 are instrumental in assessing contamination levels and in radiocarbon dating of organic materials up to about 50,000 years old.

The fundamental principles of isotope analysis involve separating isotopes by mass spectrometry, which quantifies the mass-to-charge ratio of ions produced from a sample. Modern instruments such as inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometers and thermal ionization mass spectrometers allow for high precision and sensitivity, facilitating interdisciplinary research across Earth sciences, biology, medicine, and forensic investigations.