Process / pipelineIsotopic analysis and paleoclimate reconstruction

Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry

Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS) is an analytical technique that measures the relative abundance of stable isotopes (H, C, N, O, S) and some radiogenic isotopes (e.g., ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr) in samples with high precision. Standardized by Coplen and colleagues, IRMS enables paleoclimate reconstruction, source tracing (diet, water origin), geochemical fingerprinting, and age dating through radiogenic isotopes.

Open in MethodMindSoonVideoSoon

Read the full method

Members only

Sign in with a free account to read this section.

Sign in

Sources

  1. Coplen, T. B. (1994). Reporting of stable hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen isotopic abundances. Pure and Applied Chemistry, 66(2), 273-276. DOI: 10.1351/pac199466020273
  2. Brand, W. A., Assonov, S. S., & Brenninkmeijer, C. A. (2010). Convergence of gaseous and elemental isotope ratio mass spectrometry data. Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry, 24(12), 1629-1636. DOI: 10.1002/rcm.4556

Related methods

Referenced by

ScholarGateIsotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry). Retrieved 2026-06-04 from https://scholargate.app/en/geophysics/isotope-ratio-mass-spectrometry