Deuterium (²H) 

is another an isotope containing a proton and neutron, consisting of only 0.0156% of the naturally occurring hydrogen. Commonly indicated with symbol D and sometimes called heavy hydrogen, deuterium is separated by the fractional distillation of liquid hydrogen but it can also be produced by the prolonged electrolysis of ordinary water. Approximately 100,000 gallons of water will produce a single gallon of D₂O, "heavy water". This special kind of water has a higher density, melting point, and boiling point than regular water and used as a moderator in some fission power reactors. Deuterium fuel is used in experimental fusion reactors. Replacing protium with deuterium has important uses for exploring reaction mechanisms via the kinetic isotope effect.