106 research outputs found
128Xe and 130Xe: Testing He-shell burning in AGB stars
The s-process branching at 128I has been investigated on the basis of new,
precise experimental (n,g) cross sections for the s-only isotopes 128Xe and
130Xe. This branching is unique, since it is essentially determined by the
temperature- and density-sensitive stellar decay rates of 128I and only
marginally affected by the specific stellar neutron flux. For this reason it
represents an important test for He-shell burning in AGB stars. The description
of the branching by means of the complex stellar scenario reveals a significant
sensitivity to the time scales for convection during He shell flashes, thus
providing constraints for this phenomenon. The s-process ratio 128Xe/130Xe
deduced from stellar models allows for a (9+-3)% p-process contribution to
solar 128Xe, in agreement with the Xe-S component found in meteoritic presolar
SiC grains.Comment: 24 pages, 9 figures, accepted for publication in Astophysical Journa
Beta decay of 115-In to the first excited level of 115-Sn: Potential outcome for neutrino mass
Recent observation of beta decay of 115-In to the first excited level of
115-Sn with an extremely low Q_beta value (Q_beta ~ 1 keV) could be used to set
a limit on neutrino mass. To give restriction potentially competitive with
those extracted from experiments with 3-H (~2 eV) and 187-Re (~15 eV), atomic
mass difference between 115-In and 115-Sn and energy of the first 115-Sn level
should be remeasured with higher accuracy (possibly of the order of ~1 eV).Comment: 9 pages, 3 figures; talk at the NANP'05 Conferenc
Isotopic composition (238U/235U) of some commonly used uranium reference materials
We have determined 238U/235U ratios for a suite of commonly used natural (CRM 112a, SRM 950a, and HU-1) and synthetic (IRMM 184 and CRM U500) uranium reference materials by thermal ionisation mass-spectrometry (TIMS) using the IRMM 3636 233U-236U double spike to accurately correct for mass fractionation. Total uncertainty on the 238U/235U determinations is estimated to be < 0.02% (2Ï). These natural 238U/235U values are different from the widely used âconsensusâ value (137.88), with each standard having lower 238U/235U values by up to 0.08%. The 238U/235U ratio determined for CRM U500 and IRMM 184 are within error of their certified values; however, the total uncertainty for CRM U500 is substantially reduced (from 0.1% to 0.02%). These reference materials are commonly used to assess mass spectrometer performance and accuracy, calibrate isotope tracers employed in U, U-Th and U-Pb isotopic studies, and as a reference for terrestrial and meteoritic 238U/235U variations. These new 238U/235U values will thus provide greater accuracy and reduced uncertainty for a wide variety of isotopic determinations
Abundances of the elements in the solar system
A review of the abundances and condensation temperatures of the elements and
their nuclides in the solar nebula and in chondritic meteorites. Abundances of
the elements in some neighboring stars are also discussed.Comment: 42 pages, 11 tables, 8 figures, chapter, In Landolt- B\"ornstein, New
Series, Vol. VI/4B, Chap. 4.4, J.E. Tr\"umper (ed.), Berlin, Heidelberg, New
York: Springer-Verlag, p. 560-63
Copper and tin isotopic analysis of ancient bronzes for archaeological investigation: development and validation of a suitable analytical methodology
Although in many cases Pb isotopic analysis can be relied on for provenance determination of ancient bronzes, sometimes the use of ânon-traditionalâ isotopic systems, such as those of Cu and Sn, is required. The work reported on in this paper aimed at revising the methodology for Cu and Sn isotope ratio measurements in archaeological bronzes via optimization of the analytical procedures in terms of sample pre-treatment, measurement protocol, precision, and analytical uncertainty. For Cu isotopic analysis, both Zn and Ni were investigated for their merit as internal standard (IS) relied on for mass bias correction. The use of Ni as IS seems to be the most robust approach as Ni is less prone to contamination, has a lower abundance in bronzes and an ionization potential similar to that of Cu, and provides slightly better reproducibility values when applied to NIST SRM 976 Cu isotopic reference material. The possibility of carrying out direct isotopic analysis without prior Cu isolation (with AG-MP-1 anion exchange resin) was investigated by analysis of CRM IARM 91D bronze reference material, synthetic solutions, and archaeological bronzes. Both procedures (Cu isolation/no Cu isolation) provide similar ÎŽ 65Cu results with similar uncertainty budgets in all cases (±0.02â0.04 per mil in delta units, kâ=â2, nâ=â4). Direct isotopic analysis of Cu therefore seems feasible, without evidence of spectral interference or matrix-induced effect on the extent of mass bias. For Sn, a separation protocol relying on TRU-Spec anion exchange resin was optimized, providing a recovery close to 100 % without on-column fractionation. Cu was recovered quantitatively together with the bronze matrix with this isolation protocol. Isotopic analysis of this Cu fraction provides ÎŽ 65Cu results similar to those obtained upon isolation using AG-MP-1 resin. This means that Cu and Sn isotopic analysis of bronze alloys can therefore be carried out after a single chromatographic separation using TRU-Spec resin. Tin isotopic analysis was performed relying on Sb as an internal standard used for mass bias correction. The reproducibility over a period of 1 month (nâ=â42) for the mass bias-corrected Sn isotope ratios is in the range of 0.06â0.16 per mil (2 s), for all the ratios monitored
Patterns of local and nonlocal water resource use across the western U.S. determined via stable isotope intercomparisons
In the western U.S., the mismatch between public water demands and natural water availability necessitates large interbasin transfers of water as well as groundwater mining of fossil aquifers. Here we identify probable situations of nonlocal water use in both space and time based on isotopic comparisons between tap waters and potential water resources within hydrologic basins. Our approach, which considers evaporative enrichment of heavy isotopes during storage and distribution, is used to determine the likelihood of local origin for 612 tap water samples collected from across the western U.S. We find that 64% of samples are isotopically distinct from precipitation falling within the local hydrologic basin, a proxy for groundwater with modern recharge, and 31% of samples are isotopically distinct from estimated surface water found within the local basin. Those samples inconsistent with local water sources, which we suggest are likely derived from water imported from other basins or extracted from fossil aquifers, are primarily clustered in southern California, the San Francisco Bay area, and central Arizona. Our isotope-based estimates of nonlocal water use are correlated with both hydrogeomorphic and socioeconomic properties of basins, suggesting that these factors exert a predictable influence on the likelihood that nonlocal waters are used to supply tap water. We use these basin properties to develop a regional model of nonlocal water resource use that predicts (r2â=â0.64) isotopically inferred patterns and allows assessment of total interbasin transfer and/or fossil aquifer extraction volumes across the western U.S.Fil: Good, Stephen P.. University of Utah; Estados UnidosFil: Kennedy, Casey D.. United States Department Of Agriculture. Agriculture Research Service; Estados UnidosFil: Stalker Jeremy C.. Jacksonville University; Estados UnidosFil: Chesson, Lesley A.. IsoForensics; Estados UnidosFil: Valenzuela, Luciano Oscar. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Sociales. Departamento de ArqueologĂa. Laboratorio de EcologĂa Evolutiva Humana (Sede QuequĂ©n); Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas; Argentina. University of Utah; Estados UnidosFil: Beasley, Melanie M.. University of California at San Diego; Estados UnidosFil: Ehleringer, James R. University of Utah; Estados UnidosFil: Bowen, Gabriel J.. University of Utah; Estados Unido
Solar System Abundances of the Elements
Representative abundances of the chemical elements for use as a solar
abundance standard in astronomical and planetary studies are summarized.
Updated abundance tables for solar system abundances based on meteorites and
photospheric measurements are presented.Comment: 46 pages; 5 figures; 8 tables; In: Principles and Perspectives in
Cosmochemistry.Lecture Notes of the Kodai School on 'Synthesis of Elements in
Stars' held at Kodaikanal Observatory, India, April 29 - May 13, 2008 (Aruna
Goswami and B. Eswar Reddy eds.) Astrophysics and Space Science Proceedings,
Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, 2010, p. 379-417 (ISBN 978-3-642-10351-3),
201
Prospects in Analytical Atomic Spectrometry
Tendencies in five main branches of atomic spectrometry (absorption,
emission, mass, fluorescence and ionization spectrometry) are considered. The
first three techniques are the most widespread and universal, with the best
sensitivity attributed to atomic mass spectrometry. In the direct elemental
analysis of solid samples, the leading roles are now conquered by laser-induced
breakdown and laser ablation mass spectrometry, and the related techniques with
transfer of the laser ablation products into inductively-coupled plasma.
Advances in design of diode lasers and optical parametric oscillators promote
developments in fluorescence and ionization spectrometry and also in absorption
techniques where uses of optical cavities for increased effective absorption
pathlength are expected to expand. Prospects for analytical instrumentation are
seen in higher productivity, portability, miniaturization, incorporation of
advanced software, automated sample preparation and transition to the
multifunctional modular architecture. Steady progress and growth in
applications of plasma- and laser-based methods are observed. An interest
towards the absolute (standardless) analysis has revived, particularly in the
emission spectrometry.Comment: Proofread copy with an added full reference list of 279 citations. A
pdf version of the final published review may be requested from Alexander
Bol'shakov <[email protected]
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