Environmental isotopes
Isotopes are different versions of the same type of atom. Just like how you have different types of apples, like golden delicious or granny smith, there are different types of elements like hydrogen or carbon. Environmental isotopes are isotopes that can be found in things like water, soil, and air, and they can tell scientists a lot about what's going on in the environment.
One type of environmental isotope is called carbon-14. It's kind of like having spy glasses that can see really far away. Carbon-14 can help scientists figure out how old things are, like rocks or trees. It does this by measuring how much carbon-14 is left in something compared to how much there was originally. If there's less carbon-14, it means that thing is older.
Another type of environmental isotope is called oxygen-18. It's like a puzzle piece that helps scientists figure out how water moves around in the environment. Oxygen-18 is found in water, and scientists can use it to figure out where water came from and where it's going. They do this by looking at how much oxygen-18 is in different bodies of water and tracing it back to its source.
There are other types of environmental isotopes that can help scientists figure out things like climate history or how pollutants move around in the environment. Overall, environmental isotopes are like secret agents that help scientists learn more about the world around us!
One type of environmental isotope is called carbon-14. It's kind of like having spy glasses that can see really far away. Carbon-14 can help scientists figure out how old things are, like rocks or trees. It does this by measuring how much carbon-14 is left in something compared to how much there was originally. If there's less carbon-14, it means that thing is older.
Another type of environmental isotope is called oxygen-18. It's like a puzzle piece that helps scientists figure out how water moves around in the environment. Oxygen-18 is found in water, and scientists can use it to figure out where water came from and where it's going. They do this by looking at how much oxygen-18 is in different bodies of water and tracing it back to its source.
There are other types of environmental isotopes that can help scientists figure out things like climate history or how pollutants move around in the environment. Overall, environmental isotopes are like secret agents that help scientists learn more about the world around us!