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δ15N
In geochemistry, hydrology, paleoclimatology and paleoceanography, ''δ''15N (pronounced "delta fifteen n") or delta-N-15 is a measure of the ratio of the two stable isotopes of nitrogen, 15N: 14N. Formulas Two very similar expressions for are in wide use in hydrology. Both have the form 1000\cdot\fraca ‰ (‰ = permil or parts per thousand) where ''s'' and ''a'' are the relative abundances of 15N in respectively the sample and the atmosphere. The difference is whether the relative abundance is with respect to all the nitrogen, i.e. 14N plus 15N, or just to 14N. Since the atmosphere is 99.6337% 14N and 0.3663% 15N, ''a'' is 0.003663 in the former case and 0.003663/0.996337 = 0.003676 in the latter. However ''s'' varies similarly; for example if in the sample 15N is 0.385% and 14N is 99.615%, ''s'' is 0.003850 in the former case and 0.00385/0.99615 = 0.003865 in the latter. The value of 1000\cdot\fraca is then 51.05‰ in the former case and 51.38‰ in the latter, an in ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Isotopic Signature
An isotopic signature (also isotopic fingerprint) is a ratio of non-radiogenic ' stable isotopes', stable radiogenic isotopes, or unstable radioactive isotopes of particular elements in an investigated material. The ratios of isotopes in a sample material are measured by isotope-ratio mass spectrometry against an isotopic reference material. This process is called isotope analysis. Stable isotopes The atomic mass of different isotopes affect their chemical kinetic behavior, leading to natural isotope separation processes. Carbon isotopes For example, different sources and sinks of methane have different affinity for the 12C and 13C isotopes, which allows distinguishing between different sources by the 13C/12C ratio in methane in the air. In geochemistry, paleoclimatology and paleoceanography this ratio is called δ13C. The ratio is calculated with respect to Pee Dee Belemnite (PDB) standard: :\delta \ce_\mathrm = \left(\frac - 1\right) \cdot 1000 ‰ Similarly, c ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |