Elements isotope ratio studies

Neither quadrupole nor magnetic sector machines with just a single ion detector, known as a collector, have adequate precision (better than 0.01%) for most isotope ratio studies. For isotope ratios, multiple collectors are used so that measurements of the different isotopes can be done at the same time. Multiple collectors are commonly employed with the ICP-MS discussed above ( MC-ICP-MS ) and on thermal ionization magnetic sector mass spectrometers (TIMS). TIMS uses a wire filament on which the purified element of interest is heated to ionize the sample ( thermal ionization ), instead of using plasma. 

For example, the presence of bromine can be determined easily, because bromine causes a pattern of molecular ion peaks and isotope peaks that is easily identified. If we identify the mass of the molecular ion peak as M and the mass of the isotope peak that is two mass units heavier than the molecular ion as M -t- 2, then the ratio of the intensities of the M and M+2 peaks will be approximately one to one when bromine is present (see Chapter 8, Section 8.5, for more details). When chlorine is present, the ratio of the intensities of the M and M + 2 peaks will be approximately three to one. These ratios reflect the natural abundances of the common isotopes of these elements. Thus, isotope ratio studies in mass spectrometry can be used to determine the molecular formula of a substance. 

Geochemists were some of the first researchers to realize the enormous benefits of ICP-MS for the determination of trace elements in digested rock samples. Until then, they had been using a number of different techniques, including neutron activation analysis (NAA), thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS), ICP-OES, x-ray techniques, and GFAA. Unfortunately, they all had certain limitations, which meant that no one technique was suitable for all types of geochemical samples. For example, NAA was very sensitive, but when combined with radiochemical separation techniques for the determination of rare earth elements, it was extranely slow and expensive to run. TIMS was the technique of choice for carrying out isotope ratio studies because it offered excellent precision, but unfortunately was painfully slow. Plasma... 

A unique feature of the ion microprobe is the potential to measure both elemental concentrations and isotopic ratios in the same spot. This capability was particularly valuable in the present study since the possible correlations between the 26Mg/24Mg and Al/Mg ratios are central to the interpretation of Mg isotopic anomalies. The Al/Mg ratio is calculated from the... 

In principle to all elements at low (ppb) concentrations. Valuable for first look analysis, at solid samples. Isotopic ratio measurements can distinguish between sources of elements in tracer studies and environmental samples. Use in geological dating based upon isotopic ratios. 

In recent years, tremendous progress has been achieved in the analysis of the isotope composition of important trace compounds in the atmosphere. The major elements - nitrogen, oxygen, carbon - continually break apart and recombine in a multitude of photochemical reactions, which have the potential to produce isotope fractionations (Kaye 1987). Isotope analysis is increasingly employed in studies of the cycles of atmospheric trace gases e.g., CH4 and N2O, which can give insights into sources and sinks and transport processes of these compounds. The rationale is that various sources have characteristic isotope ratios and that sink processes are accompanied by isotope fractionation. 

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