Preface

The application of isotopes in exploring different ecological, biological, chemical and geological systems is receiving considerable attention. These applications aim to understand the dynamics of different environmental compartments including hydrosphere, atmosphere, and lithosphere, explore natural resources, plan for water management, assess and predict climatic changes and trace the migration of pollutants. This book provides a wide scope of topics related to the principles and recent advances in the applications of isotopes in the earth sciences. It describes the theoretical background on radioactivity phenomenon, including the identification of the radiological characteristics of natural and anthropogenic isotopes and isotope fractionation processes. It also examines the applications of these isotopes to understand the natural processes in different compartments of the Earth.

The book consists of two sections that cover important research efforts in applying isotopic techniques in earth science. The first section presents some isotopic applications in the lithosphere. Dr. Li et al. present an overview of the formation, sources, transport and fractionation of different natural and anthropogenic isotopes. Their applications in understanding soil redistribution and sedimentation mechanisms are illustrated by demonstrating the feasibility of applying isotopes and icescape modeling. Dr. Manjate uses metamorphic zircon morphology, Th/U ratio, and 207Pb/206Pb to date the tectono-metamorphic event in Macossa-Chimoio Nappe Mozambique.

The second section illustrates some isotopic applications in the hydrosphere. Dr. Li et al. present the applications of stable sulfur, strontium, boron, oxygen and deuterium to study brine origin. Their application is directed to study Qaidam Basin, NE Tibetan Plateau. Dr. Khayat et al. apply stable isotopes to identify recharge–discharge zones and study groundwater flow regimes and the connection between sub-basins. Their applications are directed to support planning for water management by combining isotope analysis with the geological and hydrogeological setting in the West Bank, Palestine. Finally, Dr. Leclerc applies the concept of oxygen isotopic fractionation to investigate the effect of temperature and light intensity on biological and isotopic changes.

I would like to thank all the authors for their efforts that led to the production of this distinguished scientific contribution. A special acknowledgment is directed to Author Service Manager Mr. Mateo Pulko for his coordination efforts.

> **Rehab O. Abdel Rahman** Atomic Energy Authority of Egypt, Cairo, Egypt

**1**

Section 1

Application in Lithosphere

Section 1
