Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Theoretical effect of diffusion on isotopic abundance ratios in rocks and associated fluids

January 1, 1955

Diffusion is considered as a possible process of isotope fractionation taking place throughout geologic time. Both diffusion in solids and diffusion in liquids are taken as possible mechanisms, the latter being more important. Arguments are presented to show that if significant fractionation takes place within a crystal by outward diffusion under solid-state conditions, enrichment will be evident only in elements of minor concentration. Similar conclusions are inferred for solid-state diffusion across a boundary or for diffusion in liquids. No isotopic enrichment can be expected in relatively large bodies of diffusion transported material. Although the necessary data to confirm these conclusions are scanty, it seems worth while to undertake further work in this direction.

Publication Year 1955
Title Theoretical effect of diffusion on isotopic abundance ratios in rocks and associated fluids
DOI 10.1016/0016-7037(55)90046-6
Authors F. E. Senftle, J. T. Bracken
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta
Index ID 70010749
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse