Atomic fingerprints in every raindrop are revealing the secrets of Earth's water cycle
Every drop of rain carries a unique chemical signature based on its ratio of hydrogen and oxygen isotopes, allowing scientists to track the global movement of water across continents and through time.
Isotopes act as natural trackers within water molecules, reflecting the specific temperature and humidity of the environment where a cloud originally formed. Heavier isotopes typically rain out first, meaning the atomic makeup of a storm changes as it travels inland or climbs over mountains.
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