Compilation of Minimum and Maximum Isotope Ratios of Selected Elements in Naturally Occurring Terrestrial Materials and Reagents U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 01-4222 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey Compilation of Minimum and Maximum Isotope Ratios of Selected Elements in Naturally Occurring Terrestrial Materials and Reagents by T. B. Coplen1, J. A. Hopple1, J. K. Böhlke1, H. S. Peiser1, S. E. Rieder1, H. R. Krouse2, K. J. R. Rosman3, T. Ding4, R. D. Vocke, Jr.5, K. M. Révész1, A. Lamberty6, P. Taylor6, and P. De Bièvre6 1U.S. Geological Survey, 431 National Center, Reston, Virginia 20192, USA 2The University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada 3Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Western Australia, 6001, Australia 4Institute of Mineral Deposits, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, 100037, China 5National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 8391, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899 6Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements, Commission of the European Communities Joint Research Centre, B-2440 Geel, Belgium Water-Resources Investigations Report 01-4222 Reston, Virginia 2002 (Revised in August 2002; reprinted in February 2003 and March 2006) U.S. Department of the Interior GALE A. NORTON, Secretary U.S. Geological Survey Charles G. Groat, Director The use of trade, brand, or product names in this report is for identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. For additional information contact: Chief, Isotope Fractionation Project U.S. Geological Survey Mail Stop 431 – National Center Reston, Virginia 20192 Copies of this report can be purchased from: U.S. Geological Survey Branch of Information Services Box 25286 Denver, CO 80225-0286 CONTENTS Abstract ....................................................................................................................................................................1 Introduction..............................................................................................................................................................2 Basic Concepts................................................................................................................................................2 Acknowledgements..........................................................................................................................................4 Hydrogen..................................................................................................................................................................4 Reference materials and reporting of isotope ratios......................................................................................5 Ranges in isotopic composition......................................................................................................................5 Water........................................................................................................................................................5 Silicates....................................................................................................................................................6 Hydroxides...............................................................................................................................................8 Organic hydrogen....................................................................................................................................8 Methane .................................................................................................................................................10 Hydrogen gas.........................................................................................................................................10 Lithium...................................................................................................................................................................11 Reference materials and reporting of isotope ratios....................................................................................11 Ranges in isotopic composition....................................................................................................................11 Marine sources......................................................................................................................................11 Non-marine sources...............................................................................................................................13 Lithium in rocks....................................................................................................................................13 Phosphates .............................................................................................................................................13 Silicates..................................................................................................................................................14 Reagents.................................................................................................................................................14 Boron......................................................................................................................................................................15 Reference materials and reporting of isotope ratios....................................................................................15 Ranges in isotopic composition....................................................................................................................15 Marine sources......................................................................................................................................15 Non-marine sources...............................................................................................................................16 Igneous rocks.........................................................................................................................................19 Metamorphic rocks................................................................................................................................19 Sediments...............................................................................................................................................19 Organic boron........................................................................................................................................19 Carbon ....................................................................................................................................................................20 Reference materials and reporting of isotope ratios....................................................................................20 Ranges in isotopic composition....................................................................................................................20 Carbonate and bicarbonate...................................................................................................................20 Carbon dioxide......................................................................................................................................25 Oxalates..................................................................................................................................................26 Carbon monoxide..................................................................................................................................26 Organic carbon......................................................................................................................................26 Elemental carbon...................................................................................................................................28 Ethane ....................................................................................................................................................28 Methane .................................................................................................................................................28 Nitrogen..................................................................................................................................................................29 Reference materials and reporting of isotope ratios....................................................................................29 Ranges in isotopic composition....................................................................................................................29 Nitrate. ...................................................................................................................................................29 Nitrite. ....................................................................................................................................................30 Nitrogen oxide gases.............................................................................................................................30 Nitrogen gas..........................................................................................................................................30 iii Organic nitrogen....................................................................................................................................32 Nitrogen in rocks...................................................................................................................................34