Highlights
- Recent advancement has revolutionized the field of “Non-Traditional” isotopes.
- Non-traditional isotopes provide useful tool in diverse fields.
- Highlight challenges and perspectives of non-traditional isotopes.
Abstract
Recent technological advancement has revolutionized the field of non-traditional stable metal and metalloid isotopes for their wide applications for the study of earth surface processes, reconstructing past oceanic environments, tracing contaminants, and biomedical investigations. Beyond the conventional stable isotopes (H, C, O, N, S), this field has led to a wide exploration of stable isotopes (e.g., Li, B, Mg, Si, Ca, K, V, Cr, Ni, Fe, Cu, Zn, Sr, Mo, Cd, Ba, Hg, U) and their potential applications. This review delves into the applications of stable metal and metalloid isotopes as an important tool for tracing sources and elucidating various processes within the realm of earth, ocean, and environmental studies. The fundamental concept of mass-dependent and -independent isotope fractionations are introduced firstly; the selected “emerging” stable isotopes like Li isotopes (δ7Li), B isotopes (δ11B), and Mo isotopes (δ98Mo) are discussed; their applications as a proxy for earth surface processes, paleo-ocean pH, and paleo-redox conditions in oceans are highlighted respectively; various measurement techniques and their advantages/disadvantages are presented, including chemical extractions of elements and their isotope measurements using a Multi-Collector Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (MC-ICPMS). Finally, this article highlights the caveats and limitations, challenges, and scopes for future research of the stable isotopes.
Rahaman W., 2024. Non-traditional stable metal and metalloid isotopes and their potential applications in earth, ocean, and environmental sciences. Geosystems and Geoenvironment: 100307. doi: 10.1016/j.geogeo.2024.100307. Article (subscription required).
