Embedded Files
The different isotopes aren’t just fun for the physicists and chemists; they have applications in other field of science as well.
Of oxygen, three isotopes can be found in nature; Oxygen-16, 17 and 18. The isotope with 8 neutrons is most prevalent, almost 99,8% of all oxygen atoms are oxygen-16, the rest is almost all oxygen-18. The very last part is oxygen-17 but that’s so little we’ll ignore it.
Oxygen is found in the oceans as dissolves gas but of course, also in the water molecules. Because oxygen18 is slightly heavier than oxygen-16 they react differently to the water cycle. The water molecules with the lighter oxygen-16 evaporate easier than molecules containing oxygen-18 (which sinks a bit to the bottom because it is heavier). Cloud B will contain relatively more oxygen-16 which leaves water A relatively rich in oxygen-18. Because the water becomes rain in cloud C and flows back to the ocean, the ratios will stay the same, until it gets colder.
When the water with relatively more zuurstof-16 stays on land as snow and ice, the concentration of oxygen-18 in the ocean will increase and we can see that in the corals and shellfish.
Shells and corals grow like trees, they add an outer layer each year. Because the shell is mostly made of calcium carbonate, the concentration of oxygen-16 and 18 can be found in those rings. By studying the ratios, scientists can “read” how warm the earth was during a certain year. This means that things like global warming can actually be measured.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse