MASS SPECTROMETRY OF REACTIVE SPECIES DILUTION OF SPECIES ISOTOPES.

摘要

A method of measuring the isotope dilution of species in a sample, comprising: providing a plurality of predetermined stable isotopes; preparing a different isotopic tracer for each species to be measured, each said stable isotope becoming an enriched isotope one in kind corresponding to the species to be measured in said sample; trace the sample that contains that species that will be measured; balancing said isotopically traced species with said species to be measured; separating only a part of said species from said sample in order to effect an incomplete separation; make determinations of isotope ratios for each said species to be measured, mathematically deducting said concentration of species using said determined isotope ratios and, if a species conversion has occurred, correct as for the species conversion; and effecting said mathematical deduction while correcting for said incomplete separation of said species from said sample by treating the incompletely separated part of said species as if species conversion had occurred.