An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics
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The → enrichment of deuterium (D) with respect to → hydrogen (H) in → Solar System molecules when compared with the D/H ratio in the → interstellar → solar nebula. H-bearing molecules in → comets, → planets, and → chondrite  → meteorites show a systematic D enrichment relative to the → molecular hydrogen of the solar nebula. Because there is no nuclear source for D in the Universe, the observed → isotopic enrichment must have its origin in chemical reactions having faster reaction rates for D than for H. In the Solar nebula the → isotopic fractionation of D between → water and H followed the reversible reaction:
H₂O + HD ⇔ HDO + H₂.
At low temperatures, this reaction favors the concentration of D in HDO. In the → interstellar medium grain chemistry plays a crucial role in D enrichment. See also → enrichment factor.
Apart from → deuterium fractionation, D could be enriched through another mechanism. Since molecular hydrogen (H₂) is more → volatile than molecular deuterium (D₂), D/H ratio could increase in certain planets that orbit near their star.

→ deuterium; → enrichment.

The ratio between the D/H value in → water and in → molecular hydrogen, as expressed by:
f = [(1/2)HDO/H₂O]/[(1/2)HD/H₂] = (D/H)_H2O/(D/H)_H2.
When f> 1, there is → deuterium enrichment.

→ deuterium; → enrichment; → factor.