Isotope Geochemistry: Latest Developments and Applications for Geosciences

A special issue of Geosciences (ISSN 2076-3263). This special issue belongs to the section "Geochemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 24 November 2025 | Viewed by 5381

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
Interests: energy and the environment; ocean sciences; earth and atmospheric science; geochemistry; petrology and volcanology; space and planetary sciences; energy; mineral and water resources

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Advances in analytical techniques and our understanding of isotopic fractionations in nature have made isotope geochemistry one of the most important fields in the earth sciences, impacting virtually every aspect of it, from the formation of the solar system to mantle dynamics and human perturbances of the carbon cycle. Geochronology has acquired a wealth of new tools that, particularly when combined with stable and radiogenic isotope analysis, are unraveling the history of Earth with detail and accuracy that were unthinkable a few decades ago. Stable isotope analysis, once limited to a few light elements in materials from the Earth’s surface, now encompasses the entire periodic table and samples from the stratosphere to the deep mantle.

The goal of this Special Issue is to assemble papers (original research articles and review papers) that provide an overview of recent developments in isotope geochemistry in all aspects of geosciences. In particular, we invite papers on novel techniques of isotopic analysis, new theoretical insights and computational approaches to stable isotope fractionations, new approaches and techniques in geochronology and thermochronology, new insights and approaches to understanding solar system formation, evolution of the Earth’s crust and mantle surficial processes, evolution of life, including human evolution, and human impacts on the natural world through radiogenic and stable isotope analyses.

This Special Issue will welcome manuscripts that link the following themes:

  • Advantages of isotope ratio analysis;
  • Advances in the prediction of stable isotope fractionations;
  • Advances in our understanding of crust and mantle evolution through radiogenic and stable isotope analysis;
  • Advances in our understanding of critical zone processes, including Earth’s climate and its history and human impact on it;
  • Advances in solar system formation and synthesis of the elements that compose it.

We look forward to receiving your original research articles and reviews.

Prof. Dr. William M. White
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • isotope geochemistry
  • geochronology
  • isotope analysis
  • crust–mantle evolution
  • critical zone processes

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 6898 KB  
Article
Integrated Application of Radon Measurement and Conventional Electrical Prospecting in Geothermal Exploration: A Case Study of Lantian Section, Ningdu, Jiangxi Province
by Yingying Zhang, Gongxin Chen, Hailong Ye and Ximin Bai
Geosciences 2025, 15(8), 286; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences15080286 - 31 Jul 2025
Viewed by 504
Abstract
As a pivotal clean energy source with considerable reserves, geothermal water plays an indispensable role in diminishing reliance on fossil fuels and accomplishing carbon neutrality. This study employed conventional electrical prospecting and radon gas surveys in the Lantian area of Ningdu, aimed at [...] Read more.
As a pivotal clean energy source with considerable reserves, geothermal water plays an indispensable role in diminishing reliance on fossil fuels and accomplishing carbon neutrality. This study employed conventional electrical prospecting and radon gas surveys in the Lantian area of Ningdu, aimed at curtailing geothermal development costs by precise targeting of resource locations. The investigations successfully delineated fracture structures within the Lantian region. Distinct anomalies were identified in the electrical profiling along Survey Lines 1, 2, and 4, with the most pronounced features observed on Line 4. Accordingly, characteristic peak anomalies were exhibited by the radon gas measurement profiles S1, S2, and S4 corresponding to Lines 1, 2, and 4, respectively. The synergistic interpretation of resistivity and radon survey data recognized two primary fracture zones: the NE-trending zone F1 and the NEE-trending zone F2. This integrated approach not only ascertained the efficacy of the radon gas measurement, but also lays a robust basis for future geothermal water exploration targeting. Full article
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30 pages, 6425 KB  
Article
Global Sn Isotope Compositions of Cassiterite Identify the Magmatic–Hydrothermal Evolution of Tin Ore Systems
by Ryan Mathur, Wayne Powell, Junming Yao, Frederico Guimaraes, Yanbo Cheng, Linda Godfrey, Fernando Tornos, David Killick, Jay Stephens, Jingwen Mao, Mingguang Sun and Bernd Lehmann
Geosciences 2025, 15(1), 28; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences15010028 - 15 Jan 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1688
Abstract
Published Sn isotope data along with 150 new analyses of cassiterite and four granite analyses constrain two major tin isotope fractionation steps associated with (1) separation of tin from the magma/orthomagmatic transitional environment and (2) hydrothermal activity. A distinct Sn isotope difference across [...] Read more.
Published Sn isotope data along with 150 new analyses of cassiterite and four granite analyses constrain two major tin isotope fractionation steps associated with (1) separation of tin from the magma/orthomagmatic transitional environment and (2) hydrothermal activity. A distinct Sn isotope difference across deposit type, geological host rocks, and time of ore deposit formation demonstrates that the difference in the mean δ124Sn value represents the operation of a unified process. The lower Sn isotope values present in both residual igneous rocks and pegmatite suggest that heavier Sn isotopes were extracted from the system during orthomagmatic fluid separation, likely by F ligands with Sn. Rayleigh distillation models this first F ligand-induced fractionation. The subsequent development of the hydrothermal system is characterized by heavier Sn isotope composition proximal to the intrusion, which persists in spite of Sn isotope fractionating towards isotopically lighter Sn during hydrothermal evolution. Full article
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Review

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28 pages, 4027 KB  
Review
Isotopes in Archeology: Perspectives on Post-Mortem Alteration and Climate Change
by Antonio Simonetti and Michele R. Buzon
Geosciences 2025, 15(8), 307; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences15080307 - 7 Aug 2025
Viewed by 1143
Abstract
Isotopic investigations focused on determining the mobility and provenance of ancient human civilizations and sourcing of archeological artifacts continue to gain prominence in archeology. Most studies focus on the premise that the geographic variation in isotope systems of interest (e.g., Sr, Pb, Nd, [...] Read more.
Isotopic investigations focused on determining the mobility and provenance of ancient human civilizations and sourcing of archeological artifacts continue to gain prominence in archeology. Most studies focus on the premise that the geographic variation in isotope systems of interest (e.g., Sr, Pb, Nd, O) in the natural environment is recorded in both human hard tissues of local individuals and raw materials sourced for artifacts within the same region. The introduction of multi-collection–inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS) and laser ablation systems are techniques that consume smaller sample sizes compared to previous mass spectrometric approaches due to their higher ionization efficiency and increased sensitivity. This development has facilitated the isotopic measurement of trace elements present at low abundances (e.g., Pb, Nd, <1-to-low ppm range) particularly in human tooth enamel. Accurate interpretation of any isotope ratio measurement for the proveniencing of such low-abundance samples requires the adequate evaluation of post-mortem diagenetic alteration. A synopsis of practices currently in use for identifying post-mortem alteration in human archeological samples is discussed here. Post-mortem shifts in radiogenic isotope signatures resulting from secondary alteration are distinct from those potentially related to the impact of climate change on the bioavailable budgets for these elements. This topic is of interest to the archeological community and discussed here in the context of Holocene-aged samples from burial sites within the Nile River Valley System, and preferred dust source areas from the neighboring Sahara Desert. Full article
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26 pages, 3270 KB  
Review
Carbon Isotopes in Magmatic Systems: Measurements, Interpretations, and the Carbon Isotopic Signature of the Earth’s Mantle
by Yves Moussallam
Geosciences 2025, 15(7), 266; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences15070266 - 9 Jul 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 852
Abstract
Carbon isotopes in magmatic systems serve as powerful tracers for understanding magma evolution, mantle processes, the deep carbon cycle, and the origin of Earth’s carbon. This review provides a comprehensive overview of carbon isotope measurements and behavior in magmatic systems, highlighting recent technological [...] Read more.
Carbon isotopes in magmatic systems serve as powerful tracers for understanding magma evolution, mantle processes, the deep carbon cycle, and the origin of Earth’s carbon. This review provides a comprehensive overview of carbon isotope measurements and behavior in magmatic systems, highlighting recent technological advancements and scientific insights. We begin by examining methods for measuring δ13C in volcanic gases, vesicles, glasses, melt, and fluid inclusions. We then explore the behavior of carbon isotopes in magmatic systems, especially during magmatic degassing. Finally, we evaluate what recent advances mean for our understanding of the carbon isotope signature of the Earth’s upper mantle. Full article
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