Analysis rare-earth elements in soil sample by using laser-ablation ion trap mass spectrometry

摘要

Laser-ablation ion trap mass spectrometry (LA-ITMS) is applied for the analysis of rare-earth elements in soil samples. The target elements studied in this work were ytterbium (Yb) and samarium (Sm). The isotopic compositions of these elements were analyzed for standard samples with chip shape, the western phosphate rock sample (NIST SRM-694), and soil samples collected near our laboratory. For metal samples of Sm and Yb, isotopes of these elements as well as oxide forms were clearly identified. Forthe case of soil samples only a tentative assignment on the mass peaks were performed due to the complicated mass spectra that originated from the oxide forms of various rare-earth elements.