Stable Isotope

Stable isotopes are variants of elements that do not undergo radioactive decay, meaning they remain unchanged over time. Atoms of the same element can have different numbers of neutrons, creating different isotopes. Stable isotopes are naturally occurring and can be used as tracers to study processes in nature, such as climate patterns, dietary sources, and ecological interactions. By analyzing the ratios of these isotopes in samples like water, soil, or biological tissues, scientists can gain insights into environmental changes, origins, and biological functions without the atoms decaying or transforming.