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[Scientist] Robert L Michel [Research Area] Isotope Tracers of Biogeochemical and Hydrologic Processes show details View Publications [Science Topics] Isotopic Tracers; Radioisotopes [Last Name] Michel [Details] 
Stable and radioactive isotopes such as oxygen, hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen and sulfur have proved to be extremely useful tracers of hydrologic pathways, biogeochemical processes, and residence times of waters and solutes. However, use of these isotopes as tracers is presently hampered by our limited understanding of the physical processes and chemical reactions influencing isotopic compositions. The unsaturated zone, particularly the soil zone and the top of the water table, is probably the portion of the hydrologic system most responsible for alteration of the isotopic compositions of potential isotope tracers, this environmental component is also one of the least studied. The overall goal of this project is to increase our understanding of reactions involving stable isotopes and to evaluate the significance of these reactions in geochemical and hydrologic modeling. This will be accomplished by field and laboratory investigations of processes and reactions which may fractionate isotopes and affect their utilization as tracers of processes, flowpaths, and sources of water and solutes. For additional information related to isotopes, see the Isotope Interest Group Home page
USGS National Research Program: NRP Scientists
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