Isotope analysis of strontium by multicollector inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry: High-precision combined measurement of 88Sr/86Sr and 87Sr/86Sr isotope ratios

The paper describes a new high-precision method for the simultaneous precise determination of 88Sr/86Sr and 87Sr/86Sr ratios in a single portion of a geological sample by multicollector inductively coupled mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS). The isotope analysis is carried out with mass bias effect correction by a combination of internal normalization to the standard Zr-isotope ratio and bracketing standard method (external normalization). Our results for geochemical IAPSO and BCR-1 standard samples are in a good agreement with the published data. The reproducibility of the 88Sr/86Sr ratio varies from ±0.015 to ±0.05‰ (depending on the sample features) and, together with the analysis accuracy, is superior to the previously reported methods of MC-ICP-MS analysis. Still ahead is only double spike thermal ionization mass spectrometry with its ±0.02‰ reproducibility. However, the new method allows the simultaneous determination of 88Sr/86Sr and 87Sr/86Sr ratios and its productivity is higher by 5 to 6 times. On the other hand, in sample preparation, it is necessary to strive for at least 95% Sr yield from the chromatographic column; otherwise the sorption-desorption process may lead to a 0.6‰ 88Sr/86Sr ratio bias relative to the true value.