Introduction and reminder on isotopes

The course aims to remind and apply geochemical methods to analyze and explore groundwater.
These methods mainly include different uses of isotopic ratios that we will talk about briefly in
the other parts of the course.
Isotopes:
Isotopes are elements with the same number of
protons, but different amounts of atomic mass,
due to their neutron differences (fig 1). We
observe two main types of isotopes: stable
(light) and radiogenic (heavy) isotopes [1, W.
M. White]. We observe isotopes in nature and
use isotopic ratios (fig 2) in different materials
to detect the origin of the elements, compounds,
etc, and in geothermometry. This method is
based on the fact that the isotopic ratio varies in
materials. There are two ways to change the
isotopic ratios; Chemical and physical
fractionations.
Stable isotopes:
The isotopes of light elements are called stable
isotopes. They don’t decay over time. Isotopes
are divided between two coexisting phases under
the influence of chemical bonding energy. We use the isotopic ratio of these elements as origin
identifier and thermometers.
Radiogenic isotopes:
The isotopes of heavy elements are called radiogenic isotopes and they are the daughter of the
decaying element. We use the isotopic ratio of these elements as chronometers and source
identifier.
Fractionation factor:
It is a ratio of the isotropic ratios of an element in two different phases, such as phases a and b.
Fractionation factor depends on the temperature and
the relative mass difference between isotopes. Higher
the relative mass difference, higher the fractionation.
Therefore, lighter elements will have higher chemical
fractionation.