Keywords
Isotope anomaly, mass-independent-fractionation, organic matter, photochemistry, self-shielding, solar composition, water
Definition
Oxygen has three stable isotopes, oxygen-16, -17, and -18. In most studies on terrestrial samples, only the 18O/16O ratio is usually measured and discussed, where the mass-dependent fractionation law, expressed by δ17O ≈ 0.52 × δ18O, can be safely assumed. The δ17O values among extraterrestrial samples significantly deviate from the above shown relationship. This deviation bears the top-class importance in cosmochemistry, and naturally, in astrobiology.
Overview
Oxygen is the most abundant element in the planetary system, except among the giant planets, Jupiter and Saturn, where hydrogen and helium dominate their masses. Oxygen is accommodated as a major constituent in most types of building blocks, rocks (MOx), water (H2O), and organics (CHONS), which are essential in constructing a terrestrial planet, particularly a habitable planet. Oxygen...
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Hashizume, K. (2011). Oxygen Isotopes. In: Gargaud, M., et al. Encyclopedia of Astrobiology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-11274-4_1138
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-11274-4_1138
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