Natural variations
The abundance levels of stable isotopes within any compound are influenced by biological, physical, and synthesis processes. Most of these processes involve the separation of naturally occurring stable isotope mixtures into smaller quantities, or fractions. Isotopic fractionation refers to any biological, chemical, or synthesis process that changes the relative abundance of stable isotopes between the starting mixture and end fraction(s). These processes result in natural variations of stable isotope ratios that can be used for forensics purposes.
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