Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Oxygen isotope fractionation in divalent metal carbonates

January 1, 1969
Equilibrium fractionation factors for the distribution of 18O between alkaline‐earth carbonates and water have been measured over the temperature range 0–500°C. The fractionation factors α">αα can be represented by the equations
CaCO3–H2O, 1000lnα = 2.78(106T−2)− 3.39,">CaCO3–H2O, 1000lnα = 2.78(106T−2)− 3.39,CaCO3–H2O, 1000lnα = 2.78(106T−2)− 3.39,

SrCO3–H2O, 1000lnα = 2.69(106T−2)− 3.74,">SrCO3–H2O, 1000lnα = 2.69(106T−2)− 3.74,SrCO3–H2O, 1000lnα = 2.69(106T−2)− 3.74,

BaCO3–H2O, 1000lnα = 2.57(106T−2)− 4.73.">BaCO3–H2O, 1000lnα = 2.57(106T−2)− 4.73.BaCO3–H2O, 1000lnα = 2.57(106T−2)− 4.73.

Measurements on MnCO3, CdCO3, and PbCO3 were made at isolated temperatures. A statistical‐mechanical calculation of the isotopic partition function ratios gives reasonably good agreement with experiment. Both cationic size and mass are important in isotopic fractionation, the former predominantly in its effect on the internal vibrations of the anion, the latter in its effect on the lattice vibrations.

Publication Year 1969
Title Oxygen isotope fractionation in divalent metal carbonates
DOI 10.1063/1.1671982
Authors J. R. O'Neil, R.N. Clayton, T.K. Mayeda
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Journal of Chemical Physics
Index ID 70011501
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse