User:Jieun S/sandbox

[Ge/ESE 146] Isotope Biogeochemistry

Assignment 3: First Draft of the Assigned Section

May 1st, 2016

Jieun Shin

Observed Variations in Isotope Abundance

Due to physical and chemical fractionation processes, the variations in the isotopic compositions of elements are reported, and the standard atomic weights of Hydrogen isotopes have been published by the Commission on Atomic Weights and Isotopic Abundances of the IUPAC. The ratios of stable H isotopes are reported relative to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reference water. In the equilibrium isotope reactions of Hydrogen and Deuterium in general, enrichment of the heavy isotope is observed in the compound with the higher oxidation state. However, in our natural environment, the isotopic composition of hydrogen isotopes greatly vary depending on the sources and organisms due to complexities of interacting elements in disequilibrium states. {Remember that a lot of this will have already been covered in the "important concepts" section. I think you can just go right into describing the variations.} In this section, the observed variations in hydrogen isotope abundances of water sources, living organisms, organic substances and extraterrestrial materials in the Solar system are described.

1. Water Sources

I. Oceans

Variations in δ²H value of different water sources and ice caps are observed due to evaporation and condensation processes. When the ocean water is well-mixed, the δD at equilibrium is close to 0‰ (‰ SMOW) with a D/H ratio of 0.00015576. {δD value is close to 0; D/H ratio is close to 0.00015576...}. However, continuous variations in δD values are caused by evaporation or precipitation processes which lead to disequilibrium in fractionation processes. A large H isotopic gradient (variations in δD values) is observed in surface waters of the oceans, and the fluctuation value in the Northwest Atlantic surface water is around 20‰.

According to the data examining the southern supersegment of the Pacific Ocena, as the latitude (˚S) decreases from -65˚S to -40˚S, the δD value fluctuates between around -50‰ and -70‰.

• The North Pacific and Atlantic: -85‰ ~ -65‰
• The East Pacific: around -65‰
• The Southern Pacific: -48‰ to -76‰

The isotope composition of seawater (not just the surface water) is mostly in the range of 0-(-10) ‰. The followings are the estimates of the δD value for different parts of the oceans across the world.

• Emerald Basin: -12‰
• Gulf of Maine: -7‰
• Sargasso Sea: +10‰
• Antarctic: -1.7‰
• Arctic: +2.2‰
• North Atlantic Deep Water: +1.2‰

{Probably there is more data, for surface ocean, restricted seas, etc. Did you search for other data sources?}

{Also, you should talk about the composition of the oceans over time; on a glacial/interglacial scale, and on long geologic timescale. I gave you some references in class}

II. Ice Caps

The typical δD values for the ice sheets in the polar regions range from around -400‰ to -300‰ (‰SMOW). The δD values for ice caps are affected by the distance from the open ocean, latitude, atmospheric circulation as well as the amount of insolation and temperature.

The following data show the ranges of δD values of ice caps in Antartica:

• 70km south of Vostok: -453.7‰
• East antarctica: -448.4‰

The temperature change affects the deuterium content of ice caps, so the H/D isotopic composition of ice can give estimates for the historical climate cycles such as the timelines for interglacial and glacial periods.

The δD values for ice caps can also be estimated from the following equation:

δD(for ice in ‰) = [((D/H) of sample) / ((D/H) of SMOW) - 1] x 1000 {this will already have been defined}

The atmospheric temperatures of the precipitation formation sites at the altitude higher than the inversion level as well as the temperature of the surface on which snow falls correlate with the δD values of snow in Antarctica. The change in atmospheric temperature from the present temperature to either the glacial or interglacial period can be estimated by the following equation, ΔT1 = (ΔδD(for ice) - 8δ¹⁸O_sw/9, where δ¹⁸O_sw is the globally averaged value of change from the present-day seawater. {You should start by telling us what the δD values of various ice caps are today; then can talk about how they have changed through time.}

The change in H/D isotopic composition is affected by the amount of ice in continental glaciers. {This affect is via the oceans, so should be discussed in that section} In general, δD value for precipitation in the form of snow is more negative (more depleted) than that for seawaters. The deuterium analysis of ice cores allude that the increase in δD during the Miocene was around 10‰, and during the time of maximum continental ice was around 8‰. In general, the decrease in δD value is observed deeper down in the sea water.

III. Atmosphere

The analysis done based on satellite measurement data estimates the δD values for the atmosphere in various regions of the world. The general trend is that the δD values are more negative at higher-latitude regions, so the atmosphere above the antarctica and the arctic regions is observed to be highly D-depleted to around -230‰ to -260‰ or even lower.

The following atmospheric δD values are the estimates made from the satellite data.

• Tropical Regions: -110‰ ~ -80‰ (near the equator)
• Sub-tropical Regions: -140‰ ~ -110‰
• North America: -245‰ ~ -140‰ (more depleted towards the north and the east)
• South America: -245‰ ~ -80‰ (more depleted towards the south and the east)
• East Asia: -245‰ ~ -200‰
• Europe: -245‰ ~ -200‰
• North Africa: -200‰ ~ -140‰
• South Africa: -200‰ ~ -140‰
• Polar Regions: -260‰ ~ -215‰

Water vapor in the atmosphere is in general more depleted than the terrestrial water sources, since the rate of evaporation for ¹H₂¹⁶O is faster than ¹HD¹⁶O due to a higher vapor pressure. On the other hand, the rain water (precipitation) is in general more enriched than the atmospheric water vapor. (Sacese et al.)

A vast portion of the global atmospheric water vapor comes from the western Pacific near the tropical zone, (mean 2009) and the H/D isotopic composition of atmosphere varies depending on the temperature and humidity. In general, higher δD values are observed in humid regions with a high temperature. Lower δD values are observed for arid regions with a low temperature. The highest value of δD observed in the stable stratified air is close to the δD value of liquid water.

High δD values could be observed with low humidity in regions such as the Western Pacific and monsoonal continents. Condensation causes dehydration when the rain is formed, and convection reinforces more water vapor.

High δD value could also be observed in highly humid regions such as Eastern pacific and subtropics.The atmospheric moisture in humid region is mixed with highly depleted dry air from high latitude regions.

{This section has no numbers, just says "high" or "low". Can you be quantitative about the values that are observed, and how big of a range exists?}

IV. Precipitation

The following data represent the δD values of the annual precipitation in different regions of the world. The precipitation is more D-enriched near the equator in the Tropical regions.

• Tropical region: -15‰ to +32‰
• Subtropical region: -50‰ to +15‰
• North America: -100‰ to -15‰ (USA), -180‰ to -80‰ (Canada)
• South America: -80‰ to +15‰
• Northern parts of Asia: -130‰ to -65‰
• Southern parts of Asia: -65‰ to +15‰
• Europe: -80‰ to -20‰
• Oceania: -30‰ to 0‰
• Northern parts of Africa: -15‰ to +30‰
• Southern parts of Africa: -20‰ to +15‰
• Polar regions: -270‰ to -160‰

The Global Network of Isotopes in Precipitation (GNIP) investigates and monitors the isotopic composition of precipitation at various sites all over the world. The mean precipitation can be estimated by the equation, δ²H = 8.17(±0.07) δ¹⁸O + 11.27(±0.65)‰ VSMOW. (Rozanski et al., 1993) This equation is the slightly modified version from the general Global Meteoric Water Line (GMWL) equation, δ²H = 8.13δ¹⁸O + 10.8, which provides the average relationship between δ²H and δ¹⁸O of natural terrestrial waters. {Need to describe this in more detail as the Global Meteoric Water Line}

The overall mean precipitation is determined by balance between the evaporation of water from the oceans and surface water sources and the condensation of the atmospheric water vapor in the form of rain. The net evaporation should equal the net precipitation, and the δD value for the mean isotopic composition of global precipitation is around -22‰ (global average). {Don't we need to talk a little about the range of values?}

The isotopic composition of precipitation varies in different times of the year across regions depending on evaporation and condensation processes, and the precipitation formed at higher altitudes are more D-depleted. The values of δD generally fall in the range of around -30~-150‰ in the northern hemisphere and -30~+30‰ over the land areas of the southern hemisphere. In North America, the δD values of average monthly precipitation across regions are more negative in January (ranging up to around -300‰ in Canada) compared to July (up to around -190‰).

V. Lakes and Rivers

The followings are the δD values of lakes in different regions:

δD (‰) vs. VSMOW

• General value for the lakes worldwide: -130‰ ~ +50‰
• Southwestern USA: -100‰ to 0‰
• Eastern USA: -80‰ to +20‰
• Tropical Africa: -10‰ to +20‰
• Western Europe: -90‰ to -10‰
• North and South America: -90‰ to -30‰

The general pattern observed indicates that the δD values of the surface waters including lakes and rivers are similar to that of local precipitation. ²H is enriched in an evaporating lake. δ²H and δ¹⁸O for the initial river flow are assumed to be around -38‰ and -6‰ respectively {What are these values for? A particular lake, or all lakes and rivers?}, and the values for the atmospheric water vapor are estimated to be -86‰ and -12‰ respectively. When the atmospheric humidity is high (higher than 95%), the δ²H is relatively constant. When the humidity is lower than around 85%, the increase in δ²H value is observed as the fraction of remaining water decreases over time due to evaporation.

VI. Soil

H Isotope Composition in the Soil

The isotopic composition of soil is controlled by the input of precipitation. Therefore, the δD values of soil across regions are similar to that of local precipitation. However, due to evaporation, soil tends to be more D-enriched than precipitation. The degree of enrichment varies greatly depending on the atmospheric humidity, local temperature as well as the depth of the soil beneath the surface. As the depth in the soil increases, the δD of soil water decreases. (Meinzer (1999)

2. Compound Classes

Although different δD values for the same class of compounds may arise in different organisms growing in water with the same δD value, those compounds generally have the same δD value within each organism itself.

I. Lipid

Isotopic Composition of Different Types of Lipids

Variations in isotopic compositions of lipid hydrogens arise due to variable isotopic compositions of biosynthetic precursors, isotope effects in biosynthesis comprising the exchange between organic H and H2O and the variations in isotopic compositions during hydrogenation processes in which hydrogen is transferred from NADPH. Hydrogen fractionation also occurs during elongation and desaturation processes of fatty acids, and longer fatty acid chains tend to be more D-enriched.

Fatty Acids

The δD values of fatty acids found in living organisms typically range from -73‰ to -237‰. The values of δD for individual fatty acids vary widely between cultures (-362‰ to +331‰), but typically by less than around 30‰ between different fatty acids from the same species.

The differences in δD for the compounds within the same lipid class is generally smaller than 50‰, whereas the difference falls in the range of 50-150‰ for the compounds in different lipid classes.

δD values for typical lipid groups are determined using the following equation:

ε_l/w = (D/H)_l/(D/H)_w−1 = [(δD_l + 1)/(δD_w + 1)]−1 (Sachse et al.)

where ε_l/w = net or apparent fractionation, δD_l = lipid product and δD_w = source water.

• The δD for common lipid classes are the followings:
  • n-alkyl: -170 ± 50‰ (similar number with sugars)
  • isoprenoid: -270 ± 75‰
  • phytol: -360 ± 50‰ (more depleted than the other two categories)

Polyisoprenoid lipids are more depleted than acetogenic (n-alkyl) lipids with more negative δD values.

n-Alkyl lipids are around 113-262‰ more D-depleted than growth water, and polyisoprenoid lipids are around 142-376‰ more D-depleted than growth water. The variation in isotopic composition is only around 50‰ for the compounds in the same class, but is up to 150‰ for different compounds within the same organism. In marine sediments, lipids with n-alkyl skeleton have the δD value of -32 ~ -348‰, whereas lipids with isoprenoid skeleton have the δD values ranging between -148‰ and -469‰.

Marine Algae

The factors affecting δD values of algal lipids are the followings: δD of water, algal species (up to 160%), lipid type (up to 170%), salinity (+0.9±0.2% per PSU), growth rate (0 ~ -30% per day) and temperature (-2 ~ -8% per °C). {tell us what the typical δD values are}

In the study done by Zhang et al. (2009), the δD values of fatty acids in Thakassiosira pseudonana chemostat cultures were -197.3‰, -211.2‰ and -208.0‰ for C14, C16 and C18 fatty acids respectively. Moreover, the δD value of C16 fatty acid in an algal specie named A. E. unicocca at 25°C was determined using the empirical equation y = 0.890x - 91.730 where x is the δD of water at harvest. For another algal specie named B. V. aureus, the equation was y = 0.869x -74.651.

The degree of D/H fractionation in most algal lipids increases with increasing temperature and decreases with increasing salinity. The growth rates have different impact on the D/H fractionation depending on the specie types.

Photoautotrophs/Heterotrophs

δD values of lipids from phytoplankton is largely affected by δD of water, and there seems to be a linear correlation between those two values. δD values of most other biosynthetic products found in phytoplankton or cyanobacteria are more negative than that of the surrounding water. The δD values of fatty acids in methanotrophs living in seawater lie between -50 and -170‰, and that of sterols and hopanols range between -150 and -270‰.

The H isotopic composition of photoautotrophs can be estimated using the equation below:

R_l = X_w*α_l/w*R_w + (1- X_w)*α_l/s*R_s ,

where R_l, R_w, and R_s are the D/H ratios of lipids, water, and substrates, respectively. X_w is the mole fraction of lipid H derived from external water, whereas α_l/w and α_l/s denote the net isotopic fractionations associated with uptake and utilization of water and substrate hydrogen, respectively.

For Phototrophs, R_l is calculated assuming that X_w equals to 1.

• α_l/m (isotopic fractionation between lipids and methane): 0.94 for fatty acids and 0.79 for isoprenoid lipids
• α_l/w (the isotopic fractionation between lipids and water): 0.95 for fatty acids and 0.85 for isoprenoid lipids

For plants and algae,

• α_l/m (isotopic fractionation between lipids and methane): 0.94 for fatty acids and 0.79 for isoprenoid lipids

The δD values for lipids in bacterial species are the followings:

• Lipids in organisms growing on heterotrophic substrates:
  • Growing on sugar: depletion of 200‰ ~ 300‰ relative to water
  • Growing on direct precursor of TCA cycle (e.g. acetate (δDs = -76‰) or succinate): enrichment of -50‰ ~ +200‰ relative to water
  • α_l/w: -150‰ ~ +200‰
• Lipids in organisms growing photoautotrophically:
  • depletion of 50‰ ~ 190‰ relative to water
  • α_l/w: -150‰ ~ -250‰
• Lipids in organisms growing chemoautotrophically:
  • α_l/w: -200‰ ~ -400‰

Plant:

{There is a compilation of global data in Sachse et al (2012), you could use those numbers. You are spending all your words trying to tell us WHY there are variations, that subject is covered in other sections. You just need to tell us what the range of values are.}

• δD values for n-C₂₉ alkane(‰) vs. VSMOW for different plant groups are the followings
  • Shrubs: y = 0.867x - 112;
  • Trees: y = 0.524x - 134
  • Forbs: y = 1.158x - 120;
  • C3 graminoids: y = 1.209x -129;
  • C4 graminoids: y = 0.777x - 142;
    • (Where y = δD values for n-C₂₉ alkane(‰) vs. VSMOW, x = δD values for mean annual precipitation (‰) vs. VSMOW)

For plant wax:

The relative humidity, the timing of leaf wax formation, growth conditions including light levels affect the D/H fractionation of plant wax, and the following equations can be used to estimate the isotopic composition of lipids in plant wax.

{I think plants should go under section 2, living organisms}

• Leaf Water (Craig-Gorden Model): The Craig- Gorden model originally described the evaporation of lake waters
• △D_e = ε_eq + ε_k + (△D_v-ε_k)(e_q/e_i)
  • △D_e = steady state enrichment
  • ε_eq = equilibrium fractionation
  • ε_k = △D_v = leaf/air disequilibrium
  • e_q/e_i = out/in of P_H20

** Peclet Effect also considers the relative rates of physical transport and diffusion.

• P = EL/CD
  • E: transpiration rate (rate of flow)
  • L: length scale
  • C: concentration of water
  • D: diffusion coefficient

II. Sugars

The relative global abundance of D in plants is in the following order: phenylpropanoids>carbohydrates>bulk material>hydrolysable lipids>steroids. In plants, δD values of carbohydrates, which typically range around -70‰ to -140‰, are good indicators of the photosynthetic metabolism. Photosynthetically produced Hydrogens which are bound to carbon backbones are around 100-170‰ more D-depleted than water found in plant tissues. {you still haven't told us what typical values are, either for cellulose or bulk tissue or lipids}

The heterotrophic processing of carbohydrates involves isomerization of triose phosphates and interconversion between fructose-6-phosphate and glucose-6-phosphate. These cellular processes promote the exchange between organic H and H₂O within the plant tissues leading to around 158‰ of D-enrichment of those exchanged sites.

• C3 plants: Sugar beet, orange, grape (-132‰ to -117‰)
• C4 plants: sugar cane, maize (-91‰ to -75‰)
• CAM: pineapple (around -75‰)

Sugar beet and sugar cane contain sucrose, and maize contain glucose. Orange and pineapple are the sources of glucose and fructose.

The deuterium content of the sugars from the above plant species are not distinctive. In C3 plants, Hydrogens attached to Carbons in 4 and 5 positions of the glucose typically come from NADPH in the photosynthetic pathway, and are found to be more D-enriched. Whereas in C4 plants, Hydrogens attached to Carbons 1 and 6 positions are more D-enriched. D-enrichment patterns in CAM species tend to be closer to that in C3 species.

III. Bulk

Plants

"Using a Craig–Gordon model, we demonstrate that leaf water in the growth chamber grasses should have experienced significant D-enriched due to transpiration."

△D_e = ε⁺ + ε_k + (△D_v − ε_k)*(ea/ei)

• △D_e: evaporative enrichment of leaf water at the sites of evaporation in the leaf
• ε⁺ : temperature-dependent equilibrium fractionation between liquid water and vapor at the air-water interface
• ε_k : the kinetic fractionation during water vapor diffusion from the leaf intercellular air space to the atmosphere
• △D_v : the isotopic enrichment or depletion of vapor in the atmosphere relative to source water
• ea/ei : the ratio of leaf vapor pressure to air vapor pressure (product of atmospheric humidity, leaf temperature and air temperature)

As the plant size increases, δD of plant water also increases.

The H/D isotopic composition of the leaf water is variable during the biosynthesis, and the enrichment in the whole leaf can be described by the following equation.

• △D_leaf = △D_e * ((1-e^-p)/P)

(Hou et al, 2008, Sachse et al., 2012)

A typical δD value of bulk plant is around -160‰ where δD values for cellulose and lignin are -110‰ and -70‰ respectively. δD values for n-C₂₉ alkane(‰) vs. VSMOW for different plant groups are the followings

• Shrubs: y = 0.867x - 112;
• Trees: y = 0.524x - 134
• Forbs: y = 1.158x - 120;
• C3 graminoids: y = 1.209x -129;
• C4 graminoids: y = 0.777x - 142;
  • (Where y = δD values for n-C₂₉ alkane(‰) vs. VSMOW, x = δD values for mean annual precipitation (‰) vs. VSMOW)

{There is a compilation of global data in Sachse et al (2012), you could use those numbers. You are spending all your words trying to tell us WHY there are variations, that subject is covered in other sections. You just need to tell us what the range of values are.}

Animals

{Not all heterotrophs are animals. Need a clearer title}

The hydrogen isotopic composition in animal tissues are difficult to estimate due to complexities in the diet intake and the isotopic composition of surrounding water sources. When fish species were investigated, average hydrogen isotopic composition of proteins was in a large range of –128 ‰ ~ +203 ‰. In the bulk tissue of organisms, all lipids were found to be D-depleted, and the values of δD for lipids tend to be lower than that for proteins. The average δD for Chironomid and fish protein was estimated to be in the range of -128‰ to +203‰ {references?}

Most hydrogens in heterotroph tissues come from water not from diet sources, but the proportion coming from water varies. In general, Hydrogen from water is transferred to NADPH and then taken up to the tissues. An apparent trophic effect (compounding effect) can be observed for δD in heterotrophs, so significant D-enrichments result from the intake of surrounding water the in aquatic food webs. δD of proteins in animal tissues are in cases affected more by diet sources than by surrounding water.

{Are you including microbial heterotrophs here? If not, then where?}

III. Fossil Fuels

a. Oil

{This is an organic material, but not a "living thing". Maybe better to cover all biology first, and then move to fossil fuels.}

n-alkanes in exhaust are more deuterium enriched than coal soot. δD values of n-alkanes in coal soot are estimated to be in the range of -95.3‰ to -219.6‰ (industrial) and of -128.1‰ to -188.6‰ (domestic). δD profiles of n-alkanes of different chain length vary: C₁₅–C₁₈ (constant), C₁₉–C₂₄ (zigzag) C₁₆–C₂₂ (saw-tooth). δD values of n-alkane in gasoline exhaust were more positive than that in diesel exhaust. {There are lots of data for fossil fuels, see my recent review article. Need to also cover natural gas, and especially methane.}

• Oil samples from northeast Japan: from -130‰ to around -110‰ with higher maturity.^[37]
• Oil samples from Portiguar Basin: -90‰ (lancustrine environment), -120‰ to -135‰ (marine-evaporitic environment) ^{[38] [17]}

b. Alkenones

The isotopic composition of alkenones often reflect the isotopic enrichment or depletion of the surrounding environment.

The followings are the δD values of alkenones in different regions.

• Suspended particles
  • From the Gulf of Maine: -200‰
  • From the Sargasso Sea: -181‰
• Surface Sediments
  • From the Scotian Margin: -204‰
  • From the Sargasso Sea: -184‰

c. Coals

According to the studies done by Reddings et al., δD for coals from various sources range from -90‰ to -170‰.^[25]

• Coals from Bass Basin: -70‰ ~ -100‰ (Rigby et al.)^[26]
• Coals from Antarctica and Australia: negative correlation between δD and inferred paleolatitude (Smith et al.)
• Coals from near equator regions: -50‰
• Coals form polar regions: -150‰^[27]

d. Natural Gas

Methane

Methane produced from marine methanogens is typically more D-enriched than methane produced from methanogens grown in freshwater. The δD values for thermogenic methane range from -275‰ to -100‰, and from -400‰ to -150‰ for microbial methane.^[32]

H2 Gas

• δ²H value observed for atmospheric H₂ is +180‰, which is the biggest delta value observed for natural terrestrial. (The mole fraction of ²H: 0.0001838)
• δ²H value for natural gas from a Kansas well: -836‰ (mole fraction of ²H: 0.0000255)
• During the process of electrolysis of water, Hydrogen gas is produced at the cathode, but an incomplete electrolysis of water may cause isotopic fractionation leading to enrichment of D in the sample water and the production of hydrogen gas with deuterium components. 

4. Mineral H

• Hydroxyl-bearing minerals of mantle -> analysis of the isotopic composition for juvenile water δD: -80‰ ~ -40‰
• Mineral H generally has large isotope effects. (Lucuyer)
  • Global Precipitation: δD = -8.13d¹⁸O + 10.8
  • ²ε = 24.844(10⁶/T²) – 76.248((10³/T) + 52.612 -76‰ at 25°C
  • For boundary layers: ²ε_BL/V = 12.5(1-h)‰

Clay Minerals: D/H fractionation in clays such as kaolinite, illite, smectite are in most cases consistent without any significant external forces under constant temperature and pressure.

The following is an empirically determined equation for estimating the D/H fractionation factor: 1000 In α_{kaolinite-water} = -2.2 x 10⁶ x T^-2 - 7.7.

(δD values, ‰SMOW)

• Mantle: -80‰ ~ -40‰
• Metamorphic rocks: -100‰ ~ -60‰
• Shales: -100‰ to -60‰
• Marine Clays: -70‰ to -30‰
• Marine Carbonates: -40‰ to -20‰
• Total Sedimentary Rocks: -80‰ to -70‰

5. Other Planets in the Solar System/ Extraterrestrial Objects

Variations of D/H ratio in the solar system

• Earth
  • H isotope composition of mantle rocks: variable
  • H isotope composition of mantle water: -80‰ ~ -50‰ (in different states: fluid, hydrous phase, hydroxyl point defect)
  • Juvenile water (from degassing of the mantle) , magmatic water (water equilibrated with a magma)
• Sun
  • D/H ratio = 0 {really? No deuterium at all? Is there a reference for this?}
• Mars
  • Current Hydrogen isotope composition enriched by a factor of 5 relative to terrestrial ocean water (delta²H value = +4000‰) - due to the continual loss of H in Martian atmosphere

The D/H ratio for Jupiter and Saturn is nearly in the order of 10^(-5), and the D/H ratio fo Uranus and Neptune is closer to the order of 10^(-4).

Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe. Variations in isotopic composition of extraterrestrial materials stem from planetary accretion or other planetary processes such as atmospheric escape, and are larger for H and N than for C and O. The preservation of D-enrichment is observed in chondritic meteorites, interplanetary dust particles and cometary volatiles.

From the Helium isotope abundance data, the cosmic D/H value is estimated to be around 20ppm which is much lower than the terrestrial D/H ratio of 150ppm. The enrichment of D/H from the proto-solar reservoir occurs for most of the planets except for Jupiter and Saturn, the massive gaseous planets. The D/H ratios of the atmospheres of Venus and Mars are ~2 × 10⁻² and ~8 × 10⁻⁴ respectively. The D/H ratios of Uranus and Neptune is larger than that of protosolar reservoir by a factor of around 3 due to their Deuterium-rich icy cores. The D/H ratios for comets are much larger than the values for the planets in the solar system with δD value of around 1000‰.

See Also:

• • Natural Abundance
  • Abundance of Chemical Elements
  • Radioactive Isotope Tritium
  • Hydrogen Isotope