The Present Status and Prospect of Stable Isotope Geochemistry

Stable isotope geochemistry is one of new branches of geosciences. In recent years many significant developments have been made in this field, and stable isotope study has become an important tool in solving all kinds of geological and geochemical problems. In this short comment, a brief discussion on the present status and prospect of stable isotope geochemistry is given in three aspects: 1. On the methodology of stable isotope studies,including the instruments, analytical methods and standards. 2. On the theoretical studies of stable isotopes, including the physical and chemical properties of isotopes and mechanisms of isotope fractionation. 3. On the geological applications of stable isotopes, including the uses of stable isotopes in researches of meteorites,lunar rocks, igneous rocks, sedimen-tal rocks, metamorphic rocks, ore deposits, oil and gas, hydrology, oceanography, atmosphere, environmental problems, hydro thermal springs, volcanics, and so on.