<p>$\varepsilon_{Nd}$ (i. e. the relative deviation of $\frac{^{143}Nd}{^{144}Nd}$ from a standard) is often used as a proxy in paleoceanography to identify the basin of origin of oceanic currents. </p>

<p>But what is the model behind this idea? Is this proxy purely empiric?<br>
Why would the Neodymium isotopic ratio vary among basins and why would this variation be stable in (geological) time?</p>

<oceanography><geochemistry><ocean-currents>
Use of Neodymium in Paleoceanography
plannapus
# Use of Neodymium in Paleoceanography

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-05-15)

$\varepsilon\_{Nd}$ (i. e. the relative deviation of $\frac{^{143}Nd}{^{144}Nd}$ from a standard) is often used as a proxy in paleoceanography to identify the basin of origin of oceanic currents.

But what is the model behind this idea? Is this proxy purely empiric?  
Why would the Neodymium isotopic ratio vary among basins and why would this variation be stable in (geological) time?

**Tags:** oceanography, geochemistry, ocean-currents


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