Stable environmental isotopes and the delta notation

Stable isotopes serve as tracers of many processes, providing information on how chemical reactions proceed in nature. For instance, they can be used to understand rock forming processes, the water cycle, and physiological and environmental signals in plant materials. To quantify relative changes in the abundance of isotopes occurring due to these processes, we use the delta notation. But where does this notation come from and what does it mean? In order to explain that, let’s use hydrogen, carbon and oxygen as examples.

As pointed out by some viewers (thanks!) there is a small mistake at ~2:59:
D/H is equal to 0.0015 and 13C/12C is equal to 0.011.

[GeologiadaTerra]

As pointed out by some viewers (thanks! 😊) there is a small mistake at ~2:59:
D/H is equal to 0.0015 and 13C/12C is equal to 0.011.

[izalco]

thank you!!! was having trouble understanding the delta notations and what negative and positive values meant. but you summarized it so simple! tyvm

[IMarcAlex]

best viedo i have seen on vsmow! thanks!

[farrishdaniel]

You have no idea how much this helps! thank you so much!!!

[datchentai]

This is a very good explanation for this concept of delta notation and easy to follow

[salaithurazaw]

The concept is explained explicitly! This helps me a lot. Many thanks! Could you also please share more about tracers in hydrogeology if possible? Many thanks! :)

[dharmareyes]

Thank you very much for the nice explanations =)

[karanram]

R for Hydrogen = 0.0015
R for Carbon = 0.01112

[snehabakshi]

can you provide the link of the 2nd video?

[mshellasotoms]

do you have any problem example, on how to use the formula?

[aakashmohanrawat]

Next video has not come..please share the applications of oxygen isotopes in Riverland spring systems