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Related Concept Videos

Isotopes01:12

Isotopes

57.0K
Elements have a set number of protons that determines their atomic number (Z). For example, all atoms with eight protons are oxygen; however, the number of neutrons can vary for atoms of the same element. The sum of the number of protons and the number of neutrons is the mass number (A). Atoms with the same atomic number but different mass numbers are called isotopes. Elements can have multiple isotopes, for example, carbon-12, carbon-13, and carbon-14.
An element's atomic mass, or weight,...
57.0K
Nuclear Stability03:18

Nuclear Stability

19.0K
Protons and neutrons, collectively called nucleons, are packed together tightly in a nucleus. With a radius of about 10−15 meters, a nucleus is quite small compared to the radius of the entire atom, which is about 10−10 meters. Nuclei are extremely dense compared to bulk matter, averaging 1.8 × 1014 grams per cubic centimeter. If the earth’s density were equal to the average nuclear density, the earth’s radius would be only about 200 meters.
To hold positively charged protons together...
19.0K
Isotopes and Radioisotopes01:28

Isotopes and Radioisotopes

8.7K
In the early 1900s, English chemist Frederick Soddy realized that an element could have atoms with different masses that were chemically indistinguishable. These different types are called isotopes — atoms of the same element that differ in mass. Isotopes differ in mass because they have different numbers of neutrons but are chemically identical because they have the same number of protons. Soddy was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1921 for this discovery.
An isotope containing...
8.7K
Elements: Chemical Symbols and Isotopes02:31

Elements: Chemical Symbols and Isotopes

107.6K
A chemical symbol is an abbreviation used to indicate an element or an atom of an element. For example, the symbol for mercury is Hg. The same symbol is used to indicate one atom of mercury (microscopic domain) or to label a container of many atoms of the element mercury (macroscopic domain).
Some symbols are derived from the common English name of the element; others are abbreviations of the name in another language — Latin, Greek or German. For example, the symbol for aluminum (common...
107.6K
Radioactivity and Nuclear Equations03:18

Radioactivity and Nuclear Equations

21.2K
Nuclear chemistry is the study of reactions that involve changes in nuclear structure. The nucleus of an atom is composed of protons and, except for hydrogen, neutrons. The number of protons in the nucleus is called the atomic number (Z) of the element, and the sum of the number of protons and the number of neutrons is the mass number (A). Atoms with the same atomic number but different mass numbers are isotopes of the same element.
A nuclide of an element has a specific number of protons and...
21.2K
Mass Spectrometry: Isotope Effect01:13

Mass Spectrometry: Isotope Effect

2.3K
Most elements exist in nature as a mixture of isotopes. The isotopes differ in weight due to their respective number of neutrons. The molecular weight of a molecule is different depending on the specific isotope of its elements involved. As a result, the mass spectrum of the molecule exhibits peaks from the same fragment at multiple positions. The positions of these mass signals depend on the difference between the molecular mass. Furthermore, the intensity of these signals is dependent on the...
2.3K

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Preparing an Isotopically Pure 229Th Ion Beam for Studies of 229mTh
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Stable isotopes and a changing world.

Keith A Hobson1,2

  • 1Wildlife Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0X4, Canada. Khobson6@uwo.ca.

Oecologia
|May 26, 2023
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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Stable isotope analysis of animal tissues offers powerful insights into global change effects. This ecological approach tracks diet, migration, and environmental impacts on wildlife populations.

Keywords:
CSIAClimate changeGlobal changeLight elementsStable isotopesTissue archives

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Area of Science:

  • Ecology
  • Environmental Science
  • Biogeochemistry

Background:

  • Stable isotope ratios (C, N, H, O, S) in animal tissues reflect environmental and physiological processes.
  • Global change presents significant challenges to animal populations worldwide.
  • Understanding these impacts is crucial for effective conservation strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the application of stable isotope analysis in understanding global change effects on animals.
  • To highlight the maturity and potential of isotope ecology.
  • To guide future research and conservation efforts.

Main Methods:

  • Review of studies utilizing stable isotope ratios (C, N, H, O, S) in animal tissues.
  • Analysis of data on diet, isotopic niche, contaminant burden, reproduction, and migration.
  • Assessment of technical and statistical advancements, including R-based packages.

Main Results:

  • Stable isotope analysis effectively evaluates changes in diet, isotopic niche, and contaminant loads.
  • The approach reveals shifts in reproductive investment, invasive species impacts, and migration patterns.
  • The field demonstrates significant technical and statistical maturity, with accessible tools.

Conclusions:

  • Stable isotope ecology is a powerful, underappreciated tool for assessing global change impacts on animals.
  • There is a need for strategic tissue collection networks to address biodiversity and global change.
  • Future work should focus on hypothesis-driven research linked to global environmental events.