Overview
Isotope geochemistry is a vital field that examines the distribution of isotopes in geological materials to infer past environmental conditions. By studying isotopes, scientists can reconstruct ancient climates, understand geochemical cycles, and explore the history of life on Earth. This knowledge ...
Key Terms
Example: Carbon-12 and Carbon-14 are isotopes of carbon.
Example: Oxygen-16 is a stable isotope.
Example: Carbon-14 is an unstable isotope used in dating.
Example: The carbon cycle involves the exchange of carbon among the atmosphere, oceans, and living organisms.
Example: Fossils can provide clues about the paleoenvironment.
Example: Tree rings can serve as climate proxies.
Related Topics
Paleoclimatology
The study of past climates using geological and biological evidence.
advancedGeochemical Analysis Techniques
Methods used to analyze the chemical composition of geological materials.
intermediateRadiometric Dating
A technique used to date materials based on the decay of radioactive isotopes.
advancedKey Concepts
isotopesgeochemical cyclespaleoenvironmentclimate reconstruction