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Deuterium: Natural variations used as a biological tracer

January 1, 1970

The suggestion is made that isotope tracing be carried out by monitoring the natural variations in deuterium concentrations. As an example, the natural variations in deuterium concentrations between food and water collected in Illinois and food and water collected in Colorado were used to determine the residence time of water in the blood and urine of rats. We observed not only a 51/2-day turnover time of water in the blood and urine, but also evidence for the influx of water vapor from the atmosphere through the lungs into the blood.

Publication Year 1970
Title Deuterium: Natural variations used as a biological tracer
Authors J.D. Gleason, I. Friedman
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Science
Index ID 70010122
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse