Trace Sciences International

Carbon Isotopes

Nominal Mass
Accurate Mass
% Natural Abundance
Chemical Form
Enrichment Available %

12 C

12.000000000

98.93

N/A

N/A

13 C

13.003354826 (17)

1.07 (8)

BaCO3

59 – 67+

Carbon Isotopes, mainly C-13 is used extensively in many different applications. C-13 is used for instance in organic chemistry research, studies into molecular structures, metabolism, food labelling, air pollution and climate change. C-13 is also used in breath tests to determine the presence of the helicobacter pylori bacteria which causes stomach ulcer. C-13 can also be used for the production of the radioisotope N-13 which is a PET isotope. The C-12 atom has been given the atomic weight of exactly 12.000000000 and is used as the basis upon which the atomic weight of other isotopes is determined.