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 ratios 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]
References[edit]
- ^ "Obituary notice: pioneer of geochemistry: Harmon Craig". Scripps News. 18 March 2003.
- ^ Karl Turekian (2006). "Harmon Craig 1926-2003" (PDF). Biographical Memoirs of the National Academy of Sciences: 1–14.
- ^ "SAHRA Glossary of Terms". Archived from the original on 2007-11-21.
- ^ Harmon Craig (26 May 1961). "Isotopic variations in meteoric waters". Science. 133 (3465): 1702–1703. Bibcode:1961Sci...133.1702C. doi:10.1126/science.133.3465.1702. PMID 17814749.
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