Technology
Isotopic analysis may help police combat illegal timber trade in Amazon
Key Points
A map showing the distribution of isotopes in Amazonian tree wood can help identify illegally harvested timber. By analyzing the ratio of different isotopes of elements such as oxygen, carbon, nitrogen and strontium, researchers can pinpoint the region where the wood was harvested more precisely. This helps combat the illegal timber trade.
A map showing the distribution of isotopes in Amazonian tree wood can help identify illegally harvested timber. By analyzing the ratio of different isotopes of elements such as oxygen, carbon, nitrogen and strontium, researchers can pinpoint the region where the wood was harvested more precisely. This helps combat the illegal timber trade.