Tiping Ding, Shihong Tian, Jianfei Gao, Chinese Academy of Geological Science; Shaoyong Jiang, Chinese University of Geology, China

• Preface Chapter 1: IntroductionSection 1 Origin and characters of silicon and its isotopesSection 2 A brief description of silicon geochemistrySection 3 History of silicon isotope studyChapter 2: Analytical methods of silicon isotope compositionSection 1 Gas source mass-spectrometric analysis of silicon isotopesSection 2 Multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric (MC-ICP-MS) analysis of silicon isotopesSection 3 Secondly ion mass spectrometer (SIMS) analyses of silicon isotopesSection 4 Standards and reference materials for silicon isotopesChapter 3: Mechanisms of silicon isotope fractionationSection 1 Thermal dynamic fractionation of silicon isotopesSection 2 Kinetic fractionation of silicon isotopes in chemical processesSection 3 Kinetic fractionation of silicon isotopes in biochemical processesChapter 4: Distribution of silicon isotopes in natureSection 1 Extraterrestrial materials Meteorites Lunar rocksSection 2 Earth`s core and mantleSection 3 LithosphereMagmatic rocksSedimentary rocksMetamorphic rocksVein quartz and silicified rocksSection 4 SoilsSection 5 Hydrosphere Sea waterRiver waterUnderground waterSection 6 BiosphereDiatomsRadiolarianSpongesPlantsSection 7 AtmosphereChapter 5: Several aspects of silicon isotope applicationsSection 1 Studies on global silicon cycleSection 2 Studies on environmental variation of oceanSection 3 Studies on mechanisms of absorption, transportation and precipitation of silicon in plant growth processes Section 4 Studies on silicon source and genesis of ore depositsConcluding remarksAcknowledgementReferences