Number: 2006-025-1-200
Title: Assessment of fundamental
understanding of isotopic abundances and atomic weights of the chemical
elements
Task Group
Chairman: Norman
E. Holden
Members: John
K. Böhlke, Tyler
B. Coplen, Paul
De Bièvre, John
R. de Laeter, and Etienne
Roth
Objective:
Review fundamental issues and concerns that have been raised by
members of the Commission on Isotopic Abundances and Atomic Weights
(CIAAW). Discuss
the issues and present the recommendations to CIAAW on the solution
to the problems that will help to provide a future direction for
the work of CIAAW on isotopic abundances and atomic weights of the
chemical elements.
Description:
During the 20th century, the CIAAW evaluated the atomic weights,
isotopic abundances and their variations and made recommendations
to a general chemical community. This project will evaluate a number
of questions that have arisen, and these are posed below.
In the 21st century, are there multiple
audiences for the work of the CIAAW? Are Tables of Standard Atomic
Weights and of Isotopic Compositions and other data published by
CIAAW different for these audiences? Determine details needed in
data products that will be published by the CIAAW. Will publication
time scales vary for the different groups of audiences? Provide
the CIAAW with some recommendations on these issues.
Do the synthetic elements require an atomic
weight value and if so, how should this atomic weight be determined?
Does the atomic weight value require a
revised definition?
How should the CIAAW treat uncertainties
in the recommended values for atomic weights and isotopic abundances?
How should the isotopic variations in nature be treated for the
various CIAAW audiences? Provide some recommendations to the CIAAW.
Investigate the feasibility for a CIAAW
website and web page to market the CIAAW and its activities and
provide the latest information to the scientific community on the
atomic weights and isotopic abundances. If feasible, web page designs
should be provided to CIAAW.
To clarify the isotopic measurement vocabulary,
should CIAAW consider preparation of a sub-document of the "ISO"
"Vocabulary of Basic and General Concepts in Metrology"
(VIM) in the field of isotope measurements as used in many applied
scientific fields?