Isotope geochemistry investigates the natural variations in isotopic abundances within geological samples. This crucial field illuminates Earth's deep history,...
Stable isotopes do not decay over time and are used to trace physical and chemical processes, while radiogenic isotopes decay at a predictable rate, primarily used for dating rocks and minerals.
It's used to determine the age of rocks, trace the origins of geological fluids, reconstruct ancient climates, understand magmatic processes, and study environmental pollution.
Radiogenic isotopes decay from a parent isotope to a daughter isotope at a known, constant rate. By measuring the ratio of parent to daughter isotopes in a sample, scientists can calculate its age.