Existence of long-lived isotopes of a superheavy element in natural Au

Evidence for the existence of long-lived isotopes with atomic mass numbers 261 and 265 and abundance of (1-10)x10$^{-10}$ relative to Au has been found in a study of natural Au using an inductively coupled plasma - sector field mass spectrometer. The measured masses fit the predictions made for the masses of $^{261}$Rg and $^{265}$Rg (Z=111) and for some isotopes of nearby elements. The possibility that these isotopes belong to the recently discovered class of long-lived high spin super- and hyperdeformed isomeric states is discussed.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, 2 table

Selected isotope ratio measurements of light metallic elements (Li, Mg, Ca, and Cu) by multiple collector ICP-MS

The unique capabilities of multiple collector inductively coupled mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS) for high precision isotope ratio measurements in light elements as Li, Mg, Ca, and Cu are reviewed in this paper. These elements have been intensively studied at the Geological Survey of Israel (GSI) and other laboratories over the past few years, and the methods used to obtain high precision isotope analyses are discussed in detail. The scientific study of isotopic fractionation of these elements is significant for achieving a better understanding of geochemical and biochemical processes in nature and the environment

An on-line method for the determination of lead and lead isotope ratios in fresh and saline waters by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

NRC publication: Ye

Reduction of UH+ formation for U-236/U-238 isotope ratio measurements at ultratrace level in double focusing sector field ICP-MS using D2O as solvent

The main factors affecting the accurate and precise determination of U-236 using ICP-MS are instrumental background, the isobaric interference of U-235 H+ molecular ion on U-236(+) analyte ions, and the presence of U-238(+) and U-235(+) peak tails. An optimized analytical method for attenuating the influence of these factors on uranium isotope ratio measurements at ultratrace level of environmental samples has been developed. In order to reduce (UH+)-U-235 formation, D2O (heavy water) is used as a solvent for the dissolution and dilution of uranium samples. Abundance sensitivity was improved by use of medium mass resolution (m/Deltam = 4450) in comparison with low mass resolution in double-focusing sector field ICP-MS (ICP-SFMS). For solution introduction the performances of several different sample introduction systems (Meinhard, Aridus and ultrasonic nebulizer) were studied. It has been shown, that for all nebulization systems, a diminution in UH+/U+ is observed in D2O as compared with H2O as solvent. Optimum results were obtained in ICP-SFMS for a desolvating microconcentric nebulizer system (Aridus) with a minimum hydride formation rate of 9 X 10(-7) and a limit for U-236/U-238 isotopic ratio measurements of 3 - 5 x 10(-7). A comparison was performed of three commercially available sector field ICP-MS devices, with good agreement found between single collector and multiple collector ICP-MS (MC-ICP-MS)

Environmental monitoring of plutonium at ultratrace level in natural water (Sea of Galilee - Israel) by ICP-SFMS and MC-ICP-MS

An analytical method for the determination of plutonium concentration and its isotope ratio at ultratrace level in natural water by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is proposed. In order to preconcentrate Pu and to avoid matrix effects and clogging effects on the cones during the mass spectrometric measurements, an effective Pu separation procedure (on TEVA resin) from the matrix was applied. Studies of the separation procedure for 2.1 pg of Pu-242 spiked into 100 L of lake water from the Sea of Galilee result in a recovery of 62%. The detection limits of Pu-239 in 100 L lake water were determined as 1x10(-19) g mL(-1) and 3x10(-20) g mL(-1) using ICP-SFMS and MC-ICP-MS, respectively. Pu-239 was detected in the Sea of Galilee at a concentration level of about 3.6x10(-19) g mL(-1) with a Pu-240/Pu-239 isotope ratio of 0.17. This measured plutonium isotope ratio is the most probable evidence of plutonium contamination of the Sea of Galilee as a result of global nuclear fallout after the nuclear weapons tests in the sixties. This paper discusses applications of double-focusing sector field ICP-MS with single and multiple ion collection for the quantitative determination of plutonium and its isotope ratio at the 10(-19) g mL(-1) level in natural water