Isotopes in Economic Geology, Metallogeny and Exploration—An Introduction

Abstract Although (Soddy, Nature 92:399–400, 1913) inferred the existence of isotopes early last century, it was not until discovery neutron by (Chadwick, 129:312, 1932) that were understood to result from differing numbers neutrons in atomic nuclei. (Urey, J Chem Soc 1947:562–581, 1947) predicted different would behave slightly differently chemical (and physical) reactions due mass differences, leading concept isotopic fractionation. The some elements transformed into other radioactive decay happened even before recognition (Rutherford and Soddy, Lond Edinb Dublin Philos Mag 4:370–396, 1902), although role played this process discovered later. twin, related, concepts have been used geoscience scientific disciplines as tools understand geochemical processes such mineralization, also age duration these processes. This book is a review how isotope has developed better ore formation metallogenesis, thereby improve mineral system models exploration.