Articles | Volume 17, issue 9
https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-17-4865-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-17-4865-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Brief communication
| 
26 Sep 2025
Brief communication |
| 26 Sep 2025
| 26 Sep 2025
A bioavailable strontium isoscape of Australia
Wollongong Isotope Geochronology Laboratory, Environmental Futures, School of Science, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
Florian Dux
Wollongong Isotope Geochronology Laboratory, Environmental Futures, School of Science, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
Clément Bataille
Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
Purdue University, Forestry and Natural Resources, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
Patrice de Caritat
Geoscience Australia, GPO Box 378, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
John de Laeter Centre, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
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This new, extensive dataset from southwestern Australia contributes considerable new data and knowledge to Australia’s strontium isotope coverage. The data are discussed in terms of the lithology and age of the source lithologies. This dataset will reduce Northern Hemisphere bias in future global strontium isotope models. Potential applications of the new data include mineral exploration, hydrogeology, food tracing, dust provenancing, and historic migrations of people and animals.
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This new, extensive (~1.5×106 km2) dataset from northern Australia contributes considerable new information on Australia's strontium (Sr) isotope coverage. The data are discussed in terms of lithology and age of the source areas. This dataset will reduce Northern Hemisphere bias in future global Sr isotope models. Other potential applications of the new data include mineral exploration, hydrology, food tracing, dust provenancing, and examining historic migrations of people and animals.
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Strontium isotopes are useful in geological, environmental, archaeological, and forensic research to constrain or identify the source of materials such as minerals, artefacts, or foodstuffs. A new dataset, contributing significant new data and knowledge to Australia’s strontium isotope coverage, is presented from an area of over 500 000 km2 of inland southeastern Australia. Various source areas for the sediments are recognized, and both fluvial and aeolian transport processes identified.
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Short summary
We created the first detailed map of bioavailable strontium isotope ratios in Australian soils that are taken up by plants and animals. These ratios vary depending on local geology and are useful for tracing the origins of people, animals, and food. By combining new data from across Australia with global datasets and a machine learning model, we produced a national prediction that supports research in archaeology, ecology, and forensic science.
We created the first detailed map of bioavailable strontium isotope ratios in Australian soils...
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