New manuscript guidelines for the reporting of stable hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen isotope ratio data

Abstract

In accordance with recommendations by the Commission on Atomic Weights and Isotopic Abundances of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry [IUPAC, 1994; Coplen, 1994], Water Resources Research requests that authors (in all cases where feasible) (1) discontinue reporting isotopic abundances relative to SMOW (standard mean ocean water) and PDB (Peedee belemnite), (2) express hydrogen isotopic ratios of all substances relative to VSMOW (Vienna standard mean ocean water) on a normalized scale such that the δ2H of SLAP (standard light antarctic precipitation) relative to VSMOW is −428‰, (3) express carbon isotopic ratios of all substances relative to VPDB (Vienna Peedee belemnite) on a scale defined by adopting a δ13C value of +l.95‰ for NBS 19 carbonate relative to VPDB, (4) express oxygen isotopic ratios relative to either VSMOW or VPDB on a normalized scale such that the δ18O of SLAP is −55‰ relative to VSMOW, and (5) indicate values of isotopic fractionation factors if isotopic abundances of a mineral or compound depend upon such a factor.