Global meteoric water line

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The Global Meteoric Water Line is an equation defined by the geochemist Harmon Craig [1] [2] that states the average relationship between hydrogen and oxygen isotope ratios in natural terrestrial waters, expressed as a worldwide average. A meteoric water line can also be calculated for a given area, and used as a baseline within that area. Kinetic fractionation will cause the isotope percentages to vary between localities within that area[3]. This relationship is used within the field of isotope hydrology. Craig's original assertion is that the isotopic enrichments, relative to ocean water, display a linear correlation over the entire range for waters which have not undergone excessive evaporation'[4].

[edit] References

  1. ^ ""Obituary notice: pioneer of geochemistry: Harmon Craig"" (18 March 2003). Scripps News. 
  2. ^ Karl Turekian (2006). "Harmon Craig 1926-2003". Biographical Memoirs of the National Academy of Sciences: pp. 1–14. 
  3. ^ SAHRA Glossary of Terms.
  4. ^ Harmon Craig (26 May 1961). "Isotopic variations in meteoric waters". Science 133 (3465): pp. 1702–1703. doi:10.1126/science.133.3465.1702.