Where Does Isotopic Fractionation Occur?

Separation (fractionation) of isotopes will occur during such processes as evaporation or condensation, melting or crystallization, diffusion through crystals, and isotopic exchange reactions between water in a melt and minerals or mineral pairs.

How does isotopic fractionation occur?

Isotope fractionation occurs during a phase transition, when the ratio of light to heavy isotopes in the involved molecules changes.

Which process fractionation oxygen isotopes?

“Kinetic fractionation” does also apply to chemical reactions. For our purposes, kinetic fractionation refers to the process whereby the heavier isotope is concentrated in the liquid as compared to the gas on evaporation or condensation.