Parent Elements - The element that underwent radioactive decay to produce a radioactive isotope and eventually produce a more stable product. Can be by the emission of an alpha particle, two protons and two neutrons. or by the emission of a beta particle, emission of an electron which changes a neutron to a proton. Is used in the dating of objects because the decay happens in a predictable known pattern.
[L. T. Aldrich. Measurement of Radioactive Ages of Rocks. Science, New Series, Vol. 123, No. 3203. (May 18, 1956), pp. 871-875.]
[ Dixon, Paul; Curtis, David B.; Musgrave, John . Analysis of naturally produced technetium and plutonium in geologic materials. Analytical Chemistry. 69 :1692-9]
Atmospheric Chemistry Glossary