Initially used to approximate chemical reaction rates, models of isotope fractionation are used throughout the physical sciences. In chemistry, the Urey–Bigeleisen–Mayer equation has been used to predict equilibrium isotope effects and interpret the distributions of isotopes and isotopologues within systems, especially as deviations from their natural abundance. The model is also used to explain isotopic shifts in spectroscopy, such as those from nuclear field effects or mass independent effects. In biochemistry, it is used to model enzymatic kinetic isotope effects. Simulation testing in computational systems biology often uses the Bigeleisen–Mayer model as a baseline in the development of more complex models of biological systems. Isotope fractionation modeling is a critical component of isotope geochemistry and can be used to reconstruct past Earth environments as well as examine surface processes.