Deciphering late Quaternary land snail shell δO and δC from Franchthi Cave (Argolid,Greece)

This paper investigates the stable isotopic composition from late Pleistocene–Holocene (~ 13 to ~ 10.5 cal ka BP) shells of the land snail Helix figulina, from Franchthi Cave (Greece). It explores the palaeoclimatic and palaeoenvironmental implications of the isotope palaeoecology of archaeological shells at the time of human occupation of the cave. Modern shells from around the cave were also analysed and their isotopic signatures compared with those of the archaeological shells. The carbon isotope composition of modern shells depicts the consumption of C₃ vegetation. Shell oxygen isotopic values are consistent with other Mediterranean snail shells from coastal areas. Combining empirical linear regression and an evaporative model, the δ¹⁸Os suggest that modern snails in the study area are active during periods of higher relative humidity and lower rainfall δ¹⁸O, probably at night. Late glacial and early Holocene δ¹⁸Os show lower values compared to modern ones. Early Holocene δ¹⁸Os values likely track enhanced moisture and isotopic changes in the precipitation source. By contrast, lower late glacial δ¹⁸O could reflect lower temperatures and δ¹⁸Op, compared to the present day. Shell carbon isotope values indicate the presence of C₃ vegetation as main source of carbon to late glacial and early Holocene snails.     

Reconstructing seawater δO from paired coral δO and Sr/Ca ratios: Methods, error analysis and problems, with examples from Tahiti (French Polynesia) and Timor (Indonesia)

We compare several statistical routines that may be used to calculate δ¹⁸O_sw and SSS from paired coral Sr/Ca and δ¹⁸O measurements. Typically, the δ¹⁸O_coral-SST relationship is estimated by linear regression of coral δ¹⁸O vs. SST. If this method is applied, evidence should be given that at a particular site SST and SSS do not co-vary. In the tropical oceans, SST and δ¹⁸O_sw (SSS) often co-vary, and this will bias the estimate of the regression slope of δ¹⁸O_coral-SST. Using a stochastic model, we show that covariance leads to a bias in the coefficients of the univariate regression equations. As the slope of the δ¹⁸O_coral-SST relationship has known, we propose to insert this value for γ₁ in the regression models. This requires that the constants of the regression equations are removed. To omit the constants, we propose to center the regression equations (i.e., to remove the mean values from the variables). The statistical error propagation is calculated to assess our ability to resolve past variations in δ¹⁸O_sw (SSS). At Tahiti, we find that the combined analytical uncertainties of coral δ¹⁸O and Sr/Ca equal the amplitude of the seasonal cycle of δ¹⁸O_sw (SSS). Therefore, we cannot resolve the seasonal cycle of SSS at Tahiti. At Timor, the error of reconstructed δ¹⁸O_sw (SSS) is lower than the magnitude of seasonal variations of δ¹⁸O_sw (SSS), and the seasonal cycle of δ¹⁸O_sw (SSS) can be resolved.     

Past Century Fossil Fuel Burning Recorded by Tree-Ring δ~(13)C and δ~(34)S from Chaling,South China

工业革命以来由人类活动带来的大量化石燃料燃烧导致严重的环境污染,并引起气候变化。我国自1970年代开始大量排放人类活动产生的CO2和SO2,而且现在我国已经成为世界最大的CO2和SO2排放国。树轮碳-硫同位素及硫含量能很好地记录长时间尺度的气候变化,水利用效率,及化石燃料燃烧。本摘要报道了来自南方森林115年全树树轮碳-硫同位素及硫含量,目的在于记录人类活动产生的CO2和SO2历排放历史,及试图探讨人类活动产生的CO2和SO2对树碳同位素及水利用效率的影响。结果显示树轮碳同位素自1940年代后期至2000年代后期持续下降,是由持续增加的化石燃料产生的CO2导致的;大气CO2校正后的树轮碳同位素反映了全年降雨量。此外,树轮细胞内CO2浓度及水利用效率自1940年代后期持续升高,其原因是大气CO2浓度增加。另一方面,树轮硫含量没有明显的变化,表明硫是树的基本元素,而硫同位素自1890年代后期以来持续下降,记录了化石燃料(北方煤)使用历史。与之前发表的数据,显示最近几年或几十年来树轮碳同位素的增加(1.2‰~2.5‰),但不能证明是由大气污染(SO2增加)引起的,因其被气候变化所掩盖。     

Chemistry,isotope values (δD, δ18O, δ34SSO4) and temperatures of the water inflows in two Gotthard tunnels,Swiss Alps

Water inflows in the Gotthard Highway Tunnel and in the Gotthard Exploration Tunnel are meteoric waters infiltrating at different elevations, on both sides of an important orographic divide. Limited interaction of meteoric waters with gneissic rocks produces Ca–HCO₃ and Na–Ca–HCO₃ waters, whereas prolonged interaction of meteoric waters with the same rocks generates Na–HCO₃ to Na–SO₄ waters. Waters circulating in Triassic carbonate-evaporite rocks have a Ca–SO₄ composition. Calcium-Na–SO₄ waters are also present. They can be produced through interaction of either Na–HCO₃ waters with anhydrite or Ca–SO₄ waters with a local gneissic rock, as suggested by reaction path modeling. An analogous simulation indicates that Na–HCO₃ waters are generated through interaction of Ca–HCO₃ waters with a local gneissic rock. The two main SO₄-sources present in the Alps are leaching of upper Triassic sulfate minerals and oxidative dissolution of sulfide minerals of crystalline rocks. Values of δ³⁴S_SO4 < ∼+9‰ are due to oxidative dissolution of sulfide minerals, whereas δ³⁴S_SO4 >∼+9‰ are controlled either by bacterial SO₄ reduction or leaching of upper Triassic sulfate minerals. Most waters have temperatures similar to the expected values for a geothermal gradient of 22°C/km and are close to thermal equilibrium with rocks. However relatively large, descending flows of cold waters and ascending flows of warm waters are present in both tunnels and determine substantial cooling and heating, respectively, of the interacting rocks. The most import upflow zone of warm, Na-rich waters is below Guspisbach, in the Gotthard Highway Tunnel, at 6.2–9.0 km from the southern portal. These warm waters have equilibrium temperatures of 65–75°C and therefore constitute an important low-enthalpy geothermal resource.     

Distribution of δ~(34)S and δ~(18)O in SO_4~(2-) in Groundwater from the Ordos Cretaceous Groundwater Basin and Geological Implications

<正>The Ordos Cretaceous Groundwater Basin,located in an arid-semiarid area in northwestern China,is a large-style groundwater basin.SO_4~(2-) is one of the major harmful components in groundwater.Dissolved SO_4~(2-) concentrations,andδ~(34)S-SO_4~(2-) andδ~(18)O-SO_4~(2-) in groundwater from 14 boreholes and in gypsum from aquifer were analyzed.Results show that SO_4~(2-) in shallow groundwaters originates from precipitation,sulfide oxidation,and dissolution of stratum sulphate,with a big range ofδ~(34)S values,from-10.7‰to 9.2‰,and addition of SO_4~(2-) in deep groundwater results from dissolution of stratum sulphate,with biggerδ~(34)S values,from 7.8‰to 18.5‰,compared with those in shallow groundwater.This research also indicates that three types of sulphate are present in the strata,and characterized by highδ~(34)S values and highδ~(18)O values-style,highδ~(34)S values and middleδ~(18)O valuesstyle, middleδ~(34)S values and lowδ~(18)O values-style,respectively.Theδ~(34)S-SO_4~(2-) andδ~(18)O-SO_4~(2-) in groundwater have a good perspective for application in distinguishing different groundwater systems and determining groundwater circulation and evolution in this area.     

Comparing Lignin-Derived Phenols, δ13C Values, OC/N Ratio and 14C Age Between Sediments in the Kaoping (Taiwan) and the Kapuas (Kalimantan, Indonesia) Rivers

The Kaoping (Taiwan) and Kapuas (Indonesia) Rivers differ in hydrological cycle, topography and landscape. These differences strengthen the use of ¹⁴C dating, lignin-derived phenols, δ¹³C values and C/N ratios to determine the sources and diagenesis of surface sedimentary organic carbon (OC) in both rivers. The Kapuas River is surrounded by forest, resulting in sedimentary OC with a ¹⁴C age between 600 and 740 years, Λ (total lignin expressed as mg/100 mg OC) values from 0.94 to 3.70, δ¹³C values from −27.87 to −30.00‰, C/N ratios from 6.7 to 30.8, %OC from 0.63 to 9.24% and vanillic acid to vanillin ratio, (Ad/Al)v, values from 0.73 to 2.09, all of which indicate the presence of recent plant-derived organic matter. The tributaries and three locations upstream of the Kaoping River are also surrounded by forests, resulting in Λ values (0.51–4.80), δ¹³C values (−23.85 to −27.08‰), C/N ratios (14.1–28.7), %OC (1.01–7.86%) and (Ad/Al)v values (0.86–1.88), which are indicative of a terrestrial signal. No lignin oxidation products were detected in the mainstream of the Kaoping River or its coastal zone, hence the surface sediments OC with a ¹⁴C age between 4,915 and 15,870 years, enriched δ¹³C values (−23.30 and −26.54‰), lower C/N ratios (6.0–17.5) and lower %OC (0.15–2.24%) likely represent old rock and soil material. Massive floods during typhoons most probably cause plant materials from the Kaoping River and its coastal zone to be transported into the deep sea.     

Li, Be, B concentrations and δ7Li values in plagioclase phenocrysts of dacites from Nea Kameni (Santorini, Greece)

Li, Be, B and δ⁷Li SIMS analyses of plagioclase phenocrysts from the 1040–1941 Niki dacite lava (Nea Kameni, Santorini, Greece) exhibit varied processes. From their anorthite contents alone, the crystals may be segregated into four main types: type-N shows the normal decline in An during crystallisation (An_62–40); type-O has only oscillatory zoning accompanied by resorption surfaces (An_58–39); type-C is complex with high-An cores (subtype C1: An_64–58, subtype C2: An_88–73) and normal rims (An_55–42). Type-A plagioclase with high An content (An_92–82) is found within mafic enclaves. On the basis of their Li concentrations, type-O crystals may be subdivided into subtype O1 with flat Li concentration profiles and subtype O2 with decreasing Li concentration from core to rim. The concentrations of Be and B of all four types show a negative correlation with anorthite content (An), but Li concentration profiles differ amongst the different plagioclase types. Types N and O1, and the cores of type-C, are equilibrated in Li concentration. Types O2 and A, and the mantles of type-C display an initial enrichment in Li, probably from volatile influx into the melt. Consistent with the propensity towards equilibrium with the melt, these crystals display dramatic rim-ward declines in Li concentration. All analysed plagioclase crystals, except for the xenocrystic type-A, have nearly the same Li, Be and B concentrations at their rims. These coincide with the composition of plagioclase microlites in the groundmass, thereby affording estimates of plagioclase-melt partitioning for the light elements: K _Li = 0.19–0.28, K _Be = 0.24–0.38 and K _B = 0.007–0.009. δ⁷Li profiles in type-O2 and type-A phenocrysts manifest an unmistakable inverse relation to Li concentration, with variations of up to ~39 ‰, revealing preferential kinetic diffusion. This may have been driven by Li loss from the melt, most likely through degassing during decompression, perhaps in the course of magma ascent to subsequent eruption. Considering the rapid diffusion of Li in plagioclase, in situ phenocryst analyses may yield useful information about processes leading up to, or even causing, eruptions.     

Isotopic Composition (δ13C, δ18O) and Origin of Manganese Carbonate Ores of the Usa Deposit (Kuznetskii Alatau)

Isotopic compositions of carbon and oxygen are studied in different (rhodochrosite, calcareous-rhodochrosite, and chlorite–rhodochrosite) types of manganese carbonate ores from the Usa deposit (Kuznetskii Alatau). The ¹³C value varies from –18.4 to –0.7, while the ¹⁸O value ranges between 18.4 and 23.0. Host rocks are characterized by higher values of ¹³C (–1.9 to 1.0) and ¹⁸O (21.2 to 24.3). The obtained isotope data suggest an active participation of oxidized organic carbon in the formation of manganese carbonates. Manganese carbonate ores of the deposit are probably related to metasomatic processes.     

Isotopic Composition (δ13C and δ18O) and Genesis of Mn-bearing Sediments in the Ushkatyn-III Deposit,Central Kazakhstan

Lithology and Mineral Resources - The Ushkatyn-III deposit is located 300 km west of Karaganda (Central Kazakhstan). It is classified as a weakly metamorphosed Atasu-type hydrothermal-sedimentary...     

Isotopic Composition (δ13C, δ18O) and Genesis of Carbonates from Phosphorite Deposits in the Lesser Karatau (Kazakhstan)

Lithology and Mineral Resources - The study of structural features along with carbon and oxygen isotope compositions made it possible to discriminate lithological rocks in deposits of the Karatau...     

Controls on the δ13CDIC and alkalinity budget of a flashy subtropical stream (Manoa River,Hawaii)

Hawaiian streams are flashy in nature because watersheds are small and steep and receive intense and unevenly distributed rainfall. As a result, stream chemistry is characterized by considerable spatiotemporal variability. To examine how rainfall and streamflow affect the solute content of the Manoa River in Hawaii, time-series geochemical data collected during 17 sampling campaigns in spring-fall of 2010 were evaluated in a coupled δ¹³C_DIC/major ion inversion model. Spatially, the stream is characterized by a distinct shift from a low HCO₃ (43 mg/L), low pCO₂ (3760 ppmv) and heavy δ¹³C_DIC (−6.5‰) fingerprint in the upper reaches to a high HCO₃ (91 mg/L), high pCO₂ (8961 ppmv) and light δ¹³C_DIC (−11.7‰) signature in the lowlands. These trends are attributed to (1) progressive weathering of exposed aluminosilicates, and (2) downstream enrichment in CO₂ from organic matter decay in the soil zone. Solute (i.e., nitrate) yields from nitric acid weathering are generally low (<1% of TDS), even in the developed lowlands, where runoff of nitrate-enriched urban effluent has historically been documented. Data furthermore indicate a significant positive correlation between δ¹³C_DIC and rainfall rates in the mid-stream section of the river which is consistent with an atmospheric CO₂ dilution effect during high rainfall events. This dilution effect needs to be accounted for to reliably describe the role of volcanic island river systems in global assessments of silicate weathering and CO₂ degassing.     

Decoupled δ~(13)C_(carb) and δ~(13)C_(org) records at Triassic–Jurassic boundary interval in eastern Tethys:Environmental implications for spatially different global response

Although δ~(13)C data(either δ~(13)C_(carb) or δ~(13)C_(org)) of many Triassic–Jurassic(T-J) sections have been acquired,pairedδ~(13)C_(carb)and δ~(13)C_(org)from continuous T-J carbonate sections,especially in eastern Tethys,have been scarcely reported.This study presents paired and decoupled δ~(13)C_(carb)and δ~(13)C_(org)data from a continuous T-J carbonate section in Wadi Naqab.The T-J Wadi Naqab carbonate section,located in United Arab Emirates,Middle East,represents tropical and shallow marine sedimentation in eastern Tethys.At the T-J boundary interval,an initial carbon isotope excursion(CIE) is observed with different magnitude of isotope excursion and timing inδ~(13)C_(carb)and δ~(13)C_(org),while subsequently a positive CIE is only distinct in δ~(13)C_(carb).Based on petrological,carbon isotope,Rock-Eval and elemental analyses,the δ~(13)C_(carb)is thought to record marine inorganic carbon,and the δ~(13)C_(org) to record terrigenous organic carbon.Therefore,the paired δ~(13)C_(carb)and δ~(13)C_(org)herein potentially document simultaneous changes in T-J atmospheric and marine settings of eastern Tethys.Their decoupled behavior may likely be caused by different changes or evolution of carbon pool between marine and atmospheric settings.The initial CIE present in both δ~(13)C_(carb)and δ~(13)C_(org)may indicate influence of isotopically light carbon release related to CAMP activity in both atmospheric and marine settings.The following positive CIE only in δ~(13)C_(carb)suggests relatively steady carbon isotope composition in atmosphere,but enhanced burial of isotopically light carbon in marine settings.Furthermore,the T-J carbonates in the studied section were possibly deposited in normal and oxic shallow marine conditions.Global correlation based on the Wadi Naqab section and other T-J sections suggests spatially different T-J environmental parameters:in eastern Tethys and western Panthalassa,oxic condition,lacking organic-rich sediment,weaker ocean acidification and less influence of isotopically light carbon are more prevalent;in western Tethys and eastern Panthalassa,oxygen-depleted condition,black shales,stronger acidification and heavier influence of isotopically light carbon are more prevalent.These differences may be related to spatial distance from the CAMP or to different paleogeography.     

Petroleum geochemistry of the Potwar Basin, Pakistan: 1. Oil-oil correlation using biomarkers, δC and δD

Geochemical characterisation of 18 crude oils from the Potwar Basin (Upper Indus), Pakistan is carried out in this study. Their relative thermal maturities, environment of deposition, source of organic matter (OM) and the extent of biodegradation based on the hydrocarbon (HC) distributions are investigated. A detailed oil-oil correlation of the area is established. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses and bulk stable carbon and hydrogen isotopic compositions of saturated and aromatic HC fractions reveals three compositional groups of oils. Most of the oils from the basin are typically generated from shallow marine source rocks. However, group A contains terrigenous OM deposited under highly oxic/fluvio-deltaic conditions reflected by high pristane/phytane (Pr/Ph), C₃₀ diahopane/C₂₉Ts, diahopane/hopane and diasterane/sterane ratios and low dibenzothiophene (DBT)/phenanthrene (P) ratios. The abundance of C₁₉-tricyclic and C₂₄-tetracyclic terpanes are consistent with a predominant terrigenous OM source for group A. Saturated HC biomarker parameters from the rest of the oils show a predominant marine origin, however groups B and C are clearly separated by bulk δ¹³C and δD and the distributions of the saturated HC fractions supporting variations in source and environment of deposition of their respective source rocks. Moreover, various saturated HC biomarker ratios such as steranes/hopanes, diasteranes/steranes, C₂₃-tricyclic/C₃₀ hopane, C₂₈-tricyclic/C₃₀ hopane, total tricyclic terpanes/hopanes and C₃₁(R + S)/C₃₀ hopane show that two different groups are present. These biomarker ratios show that group B oils are generated from clastic-rich source rocks deposited under more suboxic depositional environments compared to group C oils. Group C oils show a relatively higher input of algal mixed with terrigenous OM, supported by the abundance of extended tricyclic terpanes (up to C₄₁₊) and steranes.Biomarker thermal maturity parameters mostly reached to their equilibrium values indicating that the source rocks for Potwar Basin oils must have reached the early to peak oil generation window, while aromatic HC parameters suggest up to late oil window thermal maturity. The extent of biodegradation of the Potwar Basin oils is determined using various saturated HC parameters and variations in bulk properties such as API gravity. Groups A and C oils are not biodegraded and show mature HC profiles, while some of the oils from group B show minor levels of biodegradation consistent with high Pr/n-C₁₇, Ph/n-C₁₈ and low API gravities.     

Wet-dry seasonal and spatial variations in the δC and δO values of the modern endogenic travertine at Baishuitai, Yunnan, SW China and their paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental implications

Seasonal and spatial variations in the δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O values of the modern endogenic (thermogene) travertine deposited in a calcite-depositing canal at Baishuitai, Yunnan, SW China were examined to understand their potential for paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental implications. The sampling sites were set in the upstream, middle reach and downstream of the canal, and the modern endogenic travertine samples were collected semimonthly to measure their δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O values. It was found that both δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O values of the endogenic travertine were low in the warm rainy season and high in the cold dry season, and correlated with each other. The low δ¹⁸O values in warm rainy season were mainly related to the higher water temperature and the lower δ¹⁸O values of rainwater, and the low δ¹³C values are caused by the dilution effect of overland flow with low δ¹³C values in the warm rainy season and the reduced CO₂-degassing of canal-water caused by the dilution effect of the overland flow. The linear negative correlation between the travertine δ¹⁸O (or δ¹³C) values and rainfall amount may be used for paleo-rainfall reconstruction if one knows the δ¹⁸O (or δ¹³C) values of the fossil endogenic travertine at Baishuitai though the reconstruction was not straightforward. It was also found that there was a progressive downstream increase of the δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C values of the travertine along the canal, the former being mainly due to the preferential evaporation of H₂¹⁶O to the atmosphere and the latter to the preferential release of ¹²CO₂ to the atmosphere during CO₂-degassing. However, the downstream increase of the travertine δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C values was less intensive in rainy season because of the reduced evaporation and CO₂-degassing during the rainy season. To conclude, the downstream travertine sites could be more favorable for the paleo-rainfall reconstruction while the upstream travertine sites are more favorable for the paleo-temperature reconstruction. So, this study demonstrates that endogenic travertine, like epigenic (meteogene) tufa, could also be a good candidate for high-resolution paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental reconstruction.     

Isotopes (δD and δ18O) in precipitation, groundwater and surface water in the Ordos Plateau, China: implications with respect to groundwater recharge and circulation

The characteristics of δD and δ¹⁸O in precipitation, groundwater and surface water have been used to understand the groundwater flow system in the Ordos Plateau, north-central China. The slope of the local meteoric water line (LMWL) is smaller than that of the global meteoric water line (GMWL), which signifies secondary evaporation during rainfall. The distribution of stable isotopes of precipitation is influenced by temperature and the amount of precipitation. The lake water is enriched isotopically due to evaporation and its isotopic composition is closely related to the source of recharge and location in the groundwater flow systems. River water is enriched isotopically, indicating that it suffers evaporation. The deep groundwater (more than 150?m) is depleted in heavy isotopes relative to the shallow groundwater (less than 150?m), suggesting that deep groundwater may have been recharged during the late Pleistocene and early Holocene, when the climate was wetter and colder than at present. All groundwater samples plot around the LMWL, implying groundwater is of meteoric origin. Shallow groundwater has undergone evaporation and the average evaporation loss is 53%. There are two recharge mechanisms: preferential flow, and the mixture of evaporated soil moisture and subsequent rain.     

Paired δ13Ccarb and δ13Corg records of the Ordovician on the Yangtze platform,South China

During the Ordovician, huge biological revolutions and environmental changes happened in Earth’s history, including the Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event, global cooling and so on, but the cause of these events remains controversial. Herein, we conducted a paired carbon isotopic analysis of carbonate (δ¹³C_carb) and organic matter (δ¹³C_org) through the Ordovician in the Qiliao section on the Yangtze platform of South China. Our results showed that the δ¹³C_carb trend of the Qiliao section can be correlated with local and global curves. The δ¹³C_org trend seems is less clear than the δ¹³C_carb trend for stratigraphic correlations, but some δ¹³C_org positive excursions in the Middle and Upper Ordovician may be used for correlation studies. These carbon isotopic records may have global significance rather than local significance, revealing several fluctuations to the global carbon cycle during the Ordovician. Several known δ¹³C_carb and δ¹³C_org negative and positive excursions have been recognised in this study, including the early Floian Negative Inorganic Carbon (δ¹³C_carb) Excursion (EFNICE), as well as the early Floian Positive Organic Carbon (δ¹³C_carb) Excursion, the mid-Darriwilian Inorganic Carbon (δ¹³C_carb and δ¹³C_org) Excursion (MDICE), and the early Katian Guttenberg Inorganic Carbon (δ¹³C_carb and δ¹³C_org) Excursion (GICE). These positive excursions and a smooth decline trend of δ¹³C_org values during the early to mid-Floian may imply multiple episodes of enhanced organic carbon burial that began at the early Floian stage, probably resulting in further decline in atmospheric pCO₂ and then global cooling.     

Fluid Composition, δD of Channel H2O,and δ18O of Lattice Oxygen in Beryls: Genetic Implications for Brazilian,Colombian, and Afghanistani Emerald Deposits

The fluid composition, δD of channel H₂O, and δ₁₈O of lattice oxygen have been determined in beryl and emerald from a variety of geological environments and used to constrain the origin of the parental fluids from which beryl has grown. Step-heating analyses performed by quadrupolar mass spectrometry were used to quantify the composition of the fluid phases in beryl from granitic pegmatites and greisens and emerald from Brazil, Colombia, and Afghanistan. An important conclusion is that beryl and emerald have a similar fluid composition, with concentrations of H₂O being greater than 90% of the total water in the mineral irrespective of the age of formation (2.0 Ga to 32 Ma) and tectonic settings. However, the Brazilian Santa Terezinha shear-zone emerald deposit contains abundant CO₂, up to 13 wt% of the total fluid. A second conclusion is that the channel H₂O content for some Brazilian emeralds is higher than the range defined for beryl in the literature, especially for those related to the shear-zone type (2.99 lt; H₂O < 3.16 wt%) and the pegmatite type from the Pombos, Pela Ema, and Pirenopolis deposits (2.78 < H₂O < 3.01 wt%). Colombian emeralds have very low H₂O contents (1.30 < H₂O < 1.96 wt%), among the lowest in the world.

Brazilian, Colombian, and Afghanistani emeralds have contrasting and restricted ranges of δ¹⁸O values. In Brazil, emeralds related to pegmatites have a systematic δ¹⁸O inter-deposit variability (+6.3 < δ¹⁸O < +12.4‰). The calculated δ¹⁸O of the fluid was buffered by the host ultrabasic rocks during fluid-rock interaction. Emerald and cogenetic phlogopite related to shear-zone-type deposits have a quite restricted δ¹⁸O range (+12.0 < δ¹⁸O 7lt; +12.4‰); the calculated is interpreted to represent the original isotopic composition of the hydrothermal fluid. Relative to Brazil, the δ¹⁸O of Colombian and Afghanistani emeralds shows strong enrichment in ¹⁸O (+13.4 < δ¹⁸O < +23.6‰), and the high calculated δ¹⁸O of the fluid suggests extensive reaction with 18O-rich sedimentary or metasedimentary rocks.

In Brazil, the δD composition of channels in emerald and the calculated δ¹⁸O^H₂O for phlogopite are compatible with both magmatic and metamorphic origins. A magmatic origin is supported for emeralds associated with the pegmatitic Socotó and Carnaiba deposits (mean δD = ?37.8 ± 8‰) and a metamorphic origin is suggested for the Santa Terezinha shear-zone type (mean δD = ?32.4 ± 3‰). A metamorphic origin is proposed for Colombian emeralds. Afghanistani emeralds have a δD composition of channels (mean δD = ?46.3 ± 1.3‰) that is compatible with both magmatic and metamorphic origins.