Calculation of equilibrium stable isotope partition function ratios for aqueous zinc complexes and metallic zinc

These estimates are useful in the interpretation of observed fractionations during the electrochemical deposition of zinc, where aqueous-metal fractionations of up to 5.5‰ are observed. The models show these are not caused by an equilibrium fractionation process. These results suggest that the redox cycle of zinc during industrial processing may be responsible for isotopically distinct reservoirs of zinc observed in polluted environments. The leaching of metallic zinc or zinc tailings from industrial sites could lead to the observed heavy signature in river systems, the magnitude of which will be reliant on the source material and the aqueous species that form.