Volume 86 of Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry concentrates on understanding the
variations among ratios of the three isotopes of oxygen with primary emphasis on terrestrial
systems. Triple oxygen isotope variations may be related to large mass-independent
fractionation effects such observed in the Earth atmosphere or may be small and related to
minute variations due to purely mass-dependent processes. Recent advancements in analytical
resolution now allow for the identification of processes and distinct reservoirs that were
formerly hidden in the paradigm of a single terrestrial fractionation line. New
high-resolution measurements are accompanied by advances in theoretical calculations that
dovetail with empirical calibrations and applications throughout this volume. 14 chapters span
a wide range of subjects: from ab-initio theoretical approaches to observation of triple oxygen
isotope variations in the Earth litho- hydro- and atmosphere.
