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Stable isotopes in mineralogy

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Abstract

Stable isotope fractionations between minerals are functions of the fundamental vibrational frequencies of the minerals and therefore bear on several topics of mineralogical interest. Isotopic compositions of the elements H, C, O, Si, and S can now be determined routinely in almost any mineral. A summary has been made of both published and new results of laboratory investigations, analyses of natural materials, and theoretical considerations which bear on the importance of temperature, pressure, chemical composition and crystal structure to the isotopic properties of minerals. It is shown that stable isotope studies can sometimes provide evidence for elucidating details of crystal structure and can be a powerful tool for use in tracing the reaction paths of mineralogical reactions.

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  1. U.S. Geological Survey, 94025, Menlo Park, California, USA

    James R. O'Neil

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O'Neil, J.R. Stable isotopes in mineralogy. Phys Chem Minerals 2, 105–123 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00307527

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