Abstract
Previously known natural variations in the stable isotope ratio of chlorine, 37Cl/35Cl, have been within the experimental error of ±1.0‰. [All our measurements are reported in terms of δ37 in units of ‰; δ37Cl = |(Rx/Rs)−1|×1,000, where R = 37Cl/35Cl.] Using methyl chloride gas in a ratio mass spectrometer, we have increased the precision of measurement to ±0.24%, and report here significant isotope variation in natural chlorides. In general, salt deposits and saline hydrothermal springs tend to be enriched in 37Cl with respect to seawater. Groundwater shows both enrichment and depletion with respect to seawater. Saline groundwater becomes more enriched in 37Cl with increasing depth.
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Kaufmann, R., Long, A., Bentley, H. et al. Natural chlorine isotope variations. Nature 309, 338–340 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1038/309338a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/309338a0
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