isotopic mixing

Isotopic mixing refers to the process where elements with different isotopic compositions blend together within a system, like a rock, ice, or biological material. Isotopes are variants of the same element with different neutron counts. When different sources or materials combine, their isotopic signatures mix, creating a new, combined signature that reveals information about their origin or history. This concept helps scientists trace processes such as climate change, geological events, or biological activities by analyzing how isotopic ratios change across samples. Essentially, isotopic mixing is about understanding how different sources blend and influence the overall isotopic composition.