Why is It Necessary to Have a Standard for the Interpretation

Question

Why is it necessary to have a standard for the interpretation of stable isotope ratios?
A) A standard is necessary to calculate how rapidly the stable isotopes undergo radioactive decay.
B) A standard is necessary to determine the stable isotope ratio in the absence of biological activity.
C) A standard is necessary because samples are only presented in comparison with other samples of the same age.
D) A standard is necessary to determine the age of the sample.

Accepted Answer

A standard is necessary to determine the stable isotope ratio in the absence of biological activity. This is important because stable isotope ratios are often used in ecological and archaeological studies as tracers of biological, geological, and environmental processes. In order to interpret these ratios accurately, a standard is needed to provide a reference point for comparison. Without a standard, it would be difficult to distinguish between natural variation in isotope ratios and the effects of biological activity on these ratios.