Isotopes are different versions of the same element, but with slightly different masses.
For Carbon (C), the different masses are a result of ecosystem differences such as marine vs. terrestrial or nearshore vs. oceanic or benthic vs. pelagic. For example, a terrestrial source would have a much lower δ13C than a marine source and pelagic sources would be lower than benthic.
Nitrogen (N) isotope ratios inform about trophic position.
Return to Outreach > Knowledge Base
