instrumental techniques applied to mineralogy and geochemistry

Radiogenic isotopes and their applications within a range of scientific fields 127
undeclared additives with a unique isotopic composition could be detected. Montgomery
et al. (2006) analyzed mineral waters across Britain and found that their 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratios
varied systematically as a reflector of the geology of the aquifer rocks (Figure 6). It is
implied from their study that the knowledge of the spatial Sr isotope variations in water
will be important also for historical and archeological studies. The origin of various
food, wine, waters. etc., based on isotopic determinations, have been reviewed by Kelly
et al. (2005) who stress the importance of combining as many elemental and isotopic
signatures as possible.
Environmental sciences
Past climate variations, understanding path-ways of elements in reactions, and
anthropogenic contamination are only a few of numerous issues where isotopes have
played an important role to clarify the nature of processes.
Dust transport
Continental dust, released from arid regions, are transported over long distances
and deposited on the oceans and continents. Obviously, the knowledge of the origin of
dust could help in under-standing atmospheric circulation mechanisms (Grousset and
Biscaye, 2005). Satelite imaging and air-mass trajectory techniques have been used to
trace transport patterns, and also isotope tracer methods (Figure 7).
FIGURE 6. The 87 Sr/ 86 Sr isotope composition of bottled waters plotted against the geological
stratigraphy of the aquifer source rock (after Montgomery et al., 2006).