Progress on the Use of Stable Isotope Techniques in Catchment Hydrograph Separation: A Review

Hydrograph separation is a fundamental catchment descriptor,revealing information about sources of water in runoff generation processes. The water isotopes are ideal tracers in studying hydrological processes since the isotope fractionation produces a natural labeling effect within the hydrologic cycle. The water isotope technique has become one of effective means for investigating complex hydrologic system on a catchment scale. This paper reviews the progress on the use of stable water isotope techniques in catchment hydrograph separation in last decades. Also,the isotope mixing model for hydrograph separation and its uncertainties are explained in detail. In future research,there are three hot issues in the use of isotopic hydrograph separation（ IHS） ： integrating new approaches into IHS,calibration and verification of IHS model and IHS application in large river basins.

Zinc Absorption from Representative Diet in a Chinese Elderly Population Using Stable Isotope Technique

Objective To determine the dietary zinc absorption in a Chinese elderly population and provide the basic data for the setting of zinc （Zn） recommended nutrient intakes （RNI） for Chinese elderly people. Methods A total of 24 elderly people were recruited for this study and were administered oral doses of 3 mg 67Zn and 1.2 mg dysprosium on the fourth day. The primary macronutrients, energy, and phytic acid in the representative diet were examined based on the Chinese National Standard Methods. Fecal samples were collected during the experimenta and dysprosium content. period and analyzed for zinc content, 67Zn isotope ratio, Results The mean （± SD） zinc intake from the representative Chinese diet was 10.6 ± 1.5 mg/d. The phytic acid-to-zinc molar ratio in the diet was 6.4. The absorption rate of 67Zn was 27.9% ±9.2%. The RNI of zinc, which were calculated by the absorption rate in elderly men and women, were 10.4 and 9.2 mg/d, respectively. Conclusion This study got the dietary Zn absorption in a Chinese elderly population. We found that Zn absorption was higher in elderly men than in elderly women. The current RNI in elderly female is lower than our finding, which indicates that more attention is needed regarding elderly females＇ zinc status and health.

Evaluation of Erythrocyte Iron Incorporation in Beijing Prepubertal Children Using a Single Stable Isotope Tracer Method

Objective To analyze the rate of erythrocyte iron incorporation and provided guidance for the iron nutrition for prepubertal children.Methods Fifty-seven prepubertal children of Beijing were involved in this study and each subject was orally administered 3 mg of 57 Fe twice daily to obtain a total of 30 mg 57 Fe after a 5-d period. The stable isotope ratios in RBCs were determined in 14 th day, 28 th day, 60 th day, and 90 th day. The erythrocyte incorporation rate in children was calculated using the stable isotope ratios, blood volume and body iron mass.Results The percentage of erythrocyte 57 Fe incorporation increased starting 14 th day, reached a peak at 60 d(boys: 19.67% ± 0.56%, girls: 21.33% ± 0.59%) and then decreased. The erythrocyte incorporation rates of 57 Fe obtained for girls in 60 th day was significantly higher than those obtained for boys(P < 0.0001).Conclusions The oral administration of 57 Fe to children can be used to obtain erythrocyte iron incorporation within 90 d. Prepubertal girls should begin to increase the intake of iron and further studies should pay more attention to the iron status in prepubertal children.