Stable Isotopes in Sedimentary Geology

Stable isotope geochemistry has come into its own in the last few years as our inventory of processes and materials has improved from the result of much basic research. Stable isotope techniques should become a standard application to most studies of sedimentary rocks and depositional environments; it has much application in exploration for hydrocarbons as well as in basic research. Rapid progress depends on adequate and proper education of professionals in the techniques, the correct selection of samples, consideration of problems of interpretation, and concern for other types of data required to constrain interpretation of stable isotopic data. This text is designed to deal with the application of stable isotopes to geologic problems.