GEOL 303: Geochemistry and Exploration

Stable Isotopes practice questions

Question One
The working standard used on mass spectrometer at our department has a δ180 value
of 38.72 ‰ relative to SMOW. If a sample of C02 has a δ180 value of - 1 4.57 ‰ relative
to this working standard,
(a) What is its δ180 value relative to SMOW?

(b) What is its δ180 value relative to PDB?

Question Two
Calculate the δ 13C value of CaCO3 precipitated in equilibrium with atmospheric CO2 gas
at 20°C, given that α CaCO3-CO2 = 1.01017 and δ 13CCO2 = −7.0 ‰. What would be the δ
13C value of calcite precipitated at 20°C in isotopic equilibrium with atmospheric CO . if
2
the δ C value of atmospheric CO2 decreases to −12 ‰ due to increased burning of fossil
13

fuels?
Equation relating the fractionation factor α to δ is:
1+δA⁄1000
𝜶=
1+δB⁄1000

If values of both Δ and δi are about ±10‰ or less.

𝜹𝑨−𝜹𝑩
𝒍𝒏𝜶 ≈ 𝜹𝑨 − 𝜹𝑩 = ∆𝑨 − 𝑩 and 𝜶≈𝟏+ 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎

Question Three
Quartz from the silica-carbonate rock has a δ180 value of 24.4‰.
Given that 1000 Inαquartz-water = 4.1(106T-2) - 3.70,
(a) What would be the temperature of formation of this quartz if it formed in isotopic
equilibrium with local groundwater whose δ180 = -11.6%?
(b) What temperature would be obtained if you merely subtracted δ values instead of
using the α value?
(c) What would the δ180 value of water in equilibrium with this quartz need to be for
the temperature of formation to be 300°C?