In ice core research, δ¹⁸O is a measure of the ratio of stable isotopes ¹⁸O to ¹⁶O. Use the following equation to determine the δ¹⁸O of your layer samples. Using the intensity values generated from the mass spectrometer and Equation 1, determine the ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratio.

Now use this value along with the ¹⁸O/¹⁶O standard (reference), in Equation 2 to determine the δ¹⁸O of your sample.

The data recorded in the units permil, meaning per thousand and represented by the symbol ‰. It is this value that shed light on the temperatures of the past.

Click next to use the value generated to determine the temperature of your sample.