Isotope Analysis of Strontium by Multicollector Inductively-Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry: High-Precision Combined Measurement of ~(88)Sr/~(86)Sr and ~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr Isotope Ratios

摘要

The paper describes a new high-precision method for the simultaneous precise determination of ~(88)Sr/~(86)Sr and ~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr ratios in a single portion of a geological sample by multicollector inductively coupled mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS). The isotope analysis is carried out with mass bias effect correction by a combination of internal normalization to the standard Zr-isotope ratio and bracketing standard method (external normalization). Our results for geochemical IAPSO and BCR-1 standard samples are in a good agreement with the published data. The reproducibility of the ~(88)Sr/~(86)Sr ratio varies from ±0.015 to ±0.05‰ (depending on the sample features) and, together with the analysis accuracy, is superior to the previously reported methods of MC-ICP-MS analysis. Still ahead is only double spike thermal ionization mass spectrometry with its ±0.02‰ reproducibility. However, the new method allows the simultaneous determination of ~(88)Sr/~(86)Sr and ~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr ratios and its productivity is higher by 5 to 6 times. On the other hand, in sample preparation, it is necessary to strive for at least 95% Sr yield from the chromatographic column; otherwise the sorption–desorption process may lead to a 0.6‰ ~(88)Sr/~(86)Sr ratio bias relative to the true value.