Hadean to Human: Application of Isotopes in Natural Sciences

Abstract

Isotopes have emerged as a powerful tool to understand and quantify processes related to all branches of science. Their application has successfully been demonstrated in numerous research areas, including cosmology, geology, oceanography, archaeology, agriculture, medicine, mining, and material, climate, and forensic sciences. The isotopic ratios of terrestrial and extra-terrestrial samples are primarily characteristics of distinct, often small, but quantifiable changes linked to radioactivity and/or mass-dependent/independent fractionations. Consequently, these ratios have been successfully used to time and tag several processes in natural sciences. Recent technological advancements in mass spectrometry and analytical techniques have enabled measurement of these ratios for a variety of elements at a very high (ppm) precision level, which expanded the isotope-based research significantly. These precision levels, however, require careful consideration of several analytical challenges, which include instrumental fractionation, isobaric interferences, isotope dilution, and any other random errors during the measurement. Here, we present a brief review of mass spectrometric measurements and related complexities to yield precise and accurate isotopic data.