Introduction to Isotope Hydrology explains in a simple but mathematically, physically and chemically correct form the consequences of natural processes to stable isotope concentrations and radioactivities.

Features:

• Presents indications of possible applications without the pretention of a cookbook
• Details water sample treatment in the field and in the laboratory
• Explains measurement techniques for stable and radioactive isotopes

Contents

Atomic Systematics and Nuclear Structure

• Atomic structure and the periodic table of the elements
• Structure of the atomic nucleus
• Stable and radioactive isotopes
• Mass and energy 4

Isotope Fractionation

• Isotope ratios and concentrations
• Isotope fractionation 8
• Kinetic, equilibrium and non-equilibrium isotope fractionation
• Conclusions from theory
• Fractionation by diffusion
• Relation between atomic and molecular isotope ratios
• Relation between fractionations for three isotopic molecules
• Use of d values and isotope standards
• Tracer concentration, amount of tracer

Isotope Fractionation Processes

• Mixing of reservoirs with different isotopic composition
• Isotopic changes in Rayleigh processes

Radioactive Decay and Production

• Nuclear instability
• Nuclear decay and radiation
• Law of radioactive decay
• Nuclear reactions

Natural Abundance of the Stable Isotopes of C, O, and H

• Stable carbon isotopes
• Stable oxygen isotopes
• Relation between C and O variations in H2O, HCO3- , and CO-
• Stable hydrogen isotopes
• Relation between 2H and O variations in water

Natural Abundance of the Radioactive Isotopes of C and H

• The radioactive carbon isotope
• Relation between C and C variations
• The radioactive hydrogen isotope
• Comparison of 3H and C variations

Isotopes in Precipitation

• O and 2H in precipitation
• 3H in precipitation
• Isotopes in surface water
• Isotope fractionation during evaporation
• Observed O and 2H variations in surface water
• 3H in surface water
• C in surface water
• C in surface water

Isotopes in Groundwater

• O in groundwater
• 2H in groundwater
• 3H in groundwater
• C and C in groundwater
• Relative C ages of groundwater
• Dating groundwater with DOC
• Relation between C and 3H in groundwater

Index

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