Entries by isobar

Shells, corals and other carbonates

Shells, corals and other carbonates are widely used in order to assess variability in climate and environmental conditions in time. A variety of stable and radioactive isotopes can be used to date these samples and provide further information on environmental context during their lifespan.

Assumptions for U-Th Dating: Open vs. Closed Systems

The most optimal samples for accurate U-Th dating are those that exist in closed systems, including speleothems and corals. In some cases, bones and lake sediments may also be used, but the state of your samples should be carefully considered prior to planning your analysis and interpreting U-Th dating results.

What is Uranium-Thorium Dating?

U-Th dating is an analytical method used to date calcium carbonate (CaCO3) bearing samples, including cave deposits/speleothems, CaCO3 rock, corals, shells and (in some cases) bones.

Isobar’s Webinar: Application of Sr-Nd-Hf-Pb Isotope Systematics in Earth Science

View our on-demand webinar “Geochemical Fingerprinting: Application of Sr-Nd-Hf-Pb Isotope Systematics in Earth Science.” Topics include: how different processes control the distribution of elements in the earth system; measuring Sr, Nd, Hf, and Pb and reporting conventions; application of Sr-Nd-Hf-Pb systematics in studying the governing processes in the earth system; research design and sampling strategies; and what to expect from your lab when measuring Sr-Nd-Hf-Pb isotopes.

Sr-Nd Isotopes for Weathering Studies

Continental weathering is an important part of the global carbon cycle. The measurements of strontium and neodymium isotopes have been especially important in this research domain.

Studying past climates using stable isotopes

The study of past climates (paleoclimatology) offers an opportunity to improve the predictability of future climate change. The stable isotopes of boron (δ11B) and oxygen (δ18O) are two important variables used to reconstruct climate in a variety of natural archives.

Isotopic analysis in forensic geography

Using isotopic analysis of skeletal remains and forensic evidence, one can reconstruct human profiles, analyse the environmental conditions antemortem and estimate the time of death. Other forensics-related investigations using isotope geochemistry include the analysis of trace evidence materials as well as provenancing illegal wildlife, bullets, narcotics, and other forensic evidence.