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

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

Precise isotope analysis of natural and enriched osmium samples using different ICP-MS instruments

The application of inductively coupled plasma sector field mass spectrometers (ICP-SFMS), inductively coupled plasma quadrupole mass spectrometers with hexapole collision cell (HEX-ICP-MS) and multiple collector ICP-MS (MC-ICP-MS) for the determination of isotopic composition of highly enriched Os-187 and osmium samples is. described. Good agreement of isotopic abundance was found in the three applied methods. A precision. (2RSD) of 0.21-0.001, 0.83-0.09 and 5.5-0.083% for osmium. isotope ratios, depending on isotope abundance in an interlaboratory metallic osmium. sample, was observed in MC-ICP-MS, ICP-SFMS and HEX-ICP-MS measurements, respectively. A (NH4)(2)OsCl6 (specpure Johnson Matthey Chemicals, JMC) sample was also analyzed by the MC-ICP-MS. The measured osmium isotope composition of the metallic osmium and JMC sample corresponds to natural osmium. known in literature, with Os-187 abundance of 2.3 at.%. Os-187 abundance in three highly enriched samples of not identified, but assumed to be from special geological Precambrian formation of Russian origin varied between 98.934 and 99.53%. In addition, the Os-186/Os-192, Os-188/Os-192, Os-189/Os-192 and Os-190/Os-192 isotope ratios in all three enriched samples were close to the natural isotopic composition. This may indicate radioactive decay of Re-187 to Os-187 in rhenium-rich osmium samples in which the original osmium with a low initial concentration was of natural isotopic composition. (Int J Mass Spectrom 218 (2002) 245-153) (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved