The δ60/58Ni Values of Twenty‐Six Selected Geological Reference Materials

The high‐precision δ^60/58Ni values of twenty‐six geological reference materials, including igneous rocks, sedimentary rocks, stream sediments, soils and plants are reported. The δ^60/58Ni values of all samples were determined by double‐spike MC‐ICP‐MS (Nu Plasma III). Isotope standard solution (NIST SRM 986) and geological reference materials (BHVO‐2, BCR‐2, JP‐1, PCC‐1, etc.) were used to evaluate the measurement bias and intermediate precision over a period of six months. Our results show that the intermediate precision of Ni isotope determination was 0.05‰ (2s, n = 69) for spiked NIST SRM 986 and typically 0.06‰ for actual samples, and the δ^60/58Ni _{NIST SRM 986} values were in excellent agreement with previous studies. Eighteen high‐precision Ni isotope ratios of geological reference materials are first reported here, and their δ^60/58Ni values varied from ?0.27‰ to 0.52‰, with a mean of 0.13 ± 0.34‰ (2s, n = 18). Additionally, SGR‐1b (0.56 ± 0.04‰, 2s), GSS‐1 (?0.27 ± 0.06‰, 2s), GSS‐7 (?0.11 ± 0.01‰, 2s), GSD‐10 (0.46 ± 0.06‰, 2s) and GSB‐12 (0.52 ± 0.06‰, 2s) could potentially serve as candidate reference materials for Ni isotope fractionation and comparison of Ni isotopic compositions among different laboratories.     

Zinc Isotopic Compositions of NIST SRM 683 and Whole‐Rock Reference Materials

In this study the homogeneity of the zinc isotopic composition in the NIST SRM 683 reference material was examined by measuring the Zn isotopic signature in microdrilled sample powders from two metal nuggets. Zinc was purified using AG MP‐1M resin and then measured by MC‐ICP‐MS. Instrumental mass bias was corrected using the “sample‐standard bracketing” method and empirical external normalisation with Cu doping. After evaluating the potential effects of varying acid mass fractions and different matrices, high‐precision Zn isotope data were obtained with an intermediate measurement precision better than ± 0.05‰ (δ⁶⁶Zn, 2s) over a period of 5 months. The δ⁶⁶Zn_JMC‐Lyon mean values of eighty‐four and fourteen drilled powders from two nuggets were 0.11 ± 0.02‰ and 0.12 ± 0.02‰, respectively, indicating that NIST SRM 683 is a good isotopic reference material with homogeneous Zn isotopes. The Zn isotopic compositions of seventeen rock reference materials were also determined, and their δ⁶⁶Zn values were in agreement with most previously published data within 2s. The δ⁶⁶Zn values of most of the rock reference materials analysed were in the range 0.22–0.36‰, except for GSP‐2 (1.07 ± 0.06‰, n = 12), NOD‐A‐1 (0.96 ± 0.03‰, n = 6) and NOD‐P‐1 (0.78 ± 0.03‰, n = 6). These comprehensive data should serve as reference values for quality assurance and interlaboratory calibration exercises.     

Automated Analyte Separation by Ion Chromatography Using a Cobot Applied to Geological Reference Materials for Li Isotope Composition

The demand for large and reliable data sets on isotopic composition has increased in geochemistry and environmental sciences over recent years. We present an automated ion chromatographic separation method using a robotic pipetting arm, termed ‘ChemCobOne’, to reduce sample separation time. Its performance was tested for lithium isotope separation in geological reference materials using a single‐step separation with HCl (0.2 mol l^?1) and a 2 ml resin volume. This refined lithium purification method does not forfeit precision, accuracy or purity compared with manual sample processing. In addition, a δ⁷Li value for NASS‐6 of 30.99 ± 0.50‰ (2s) (95% CI = 0.14‰, n = 44) was determined and the first δ⁷Li values for the granite rock reference material GS‐N (?0.57 ± 0.25‰ (2s), 95% CI = 0.15‰, n = 15), and for the soil reference material NIST SRM 2709a (?0.37 ± 0.67‰ (2s), 95% CI = 0.15‰, n = 63) are proposed.     

High‐Precision Cd Isotope Measurements of Soil and Rock Reference Materials by MC‐ICP‐MS with Double Spike Correction

This study presents a high‐precision Cd isotope measurement method for soil and rock reference materials using MC‐ICP‐MS with double spike correction. The effects of molecular interferences (e.g., ¹⁰⁹Ag¹H⁺, ⁹⁴Zr¹⁶O⁺, ⁹⁴Mo¹⁶O⁺ and ⁷⁰Zn⁴⁰Ar⁺) and isobaric interferences (e.g., Pd, In and Sn) to Cd isotope measurements were quantitatively evaluated. When the measured solution has Ag/Cd ≤ 5, Zn/Cd ≤ 0.02, Mo/Cd ≤ 0.4, Zr/Cd ≤ 0.001, Pd/Cd ≤ 5 × 10^?5 and In/Cd ≤ 10^?3, the measured Cd isotope data were not significantly affected. The intermediate measurement precision of pure Cd solutions (BAM I012 Cd, Münster Cd and AAS Cd) was better than ± 0.05‰ (2s) for δ^114/110Cd. The δ^114/110Cd values of soil reference materials (NIST SRM 2709, 2709a, 2710, 2710a, 2711, 2711a and GSS‐1) relative to NIST SRM 3108 were in the range of ?0.251 to 0.632‰, the δ^114/110Cd values of rock reference materials (BCR‐2, BIR‐1, BHVO‐2, W‐2, AGV‐2, GSP‐2 and COQ‐1) varied from ?0.196‰ to 0.098‰, and that of the manganese nodule (NOD‐P‐1) was 0.163 ± 0.040‰ (2s, n = 8). The large variation in Cd isotopes in soils and igneous rocks indicates that they can be more widely used to study magmatic and supergene processes.     

SA01 – A Proposed Zircon Reference Material for Microbeam U‐Pb Age and Hf‐O Isotopic Determination

A new natural zircon reference material SA01 is introduced for U‐Pb geochronology as well as O and Hf isotope geochemistry by microbeam techniques. The zircon megacryst is homogeneous with respect to U‐Pb, O and Hf isotopes based on a large number of measurements by laser ablation‐inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS) and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). Chemical abrasion isotope dilution thermal ionisation mass spectrometry (CA‐ID‐TIMS) U‐Pb isotopic analyses produced a mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age of 535.08 ± 0.32 Ma (2s, n = 10). Results of SIMS and LA‐ICP‐MS analyses on individual shards are consistent with the TIMS ages within uncertainty. The δ¹⁸O value determined by laser fluorination is 6.16 ± 0.26‰ (2s, n = 14), and the mean ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf ratio determined by solution MC‐ICP‐MS is 0.282293 ± 0.000007 (2s, n = 30), which are in good agreement with the statistical mean of microbeam analyses. The megacryst is characterised by significant localised variations in Th/U ratio (0.328–4.269) and Li isotopic ratio (?5.5 to +7.9‰); the latter makes it unsuitable as a lithium isotope reference material.     

Barium Isotopic Compositions in Thirty‐Four Geological Reference Materials Analysed by MC‐ICP‐MS

Measurement of Ba isotope ratios of widely available reference materials is required for interlaboratory comparison of data. Here, we present new Ba isotope data for thirty‐four geological reference materials, including silicates, carbonates, river/marine sediments and soils. These reference materials (RMs) cover a wide range of compositions, with Ba mass fractions ranging from 6.4 to 1900 µg g^?1, SiO₂ from 0.62% to 90.36% m/m and MgO from 0.08% to 41.03% m/m. Accuracy and precision of our data were assessed by the analyses of duplicate samples and USGS rock RMs. Barium isotopic compositions for all RMs were in agreement with each other within uncertainty. The variation of δ^138/134Ba in these RMs was up to 0.7‰. The shale reference sample, affected by a high degree of chemical weathering, had the highest δ^138/134Ba (0.37 ± 0.03‰), while the stream sediment obtained from a tributary draining carbonate rocks was characterised by the lowest δ^138/134Ba (?0.30 ± 0.05‰). Geochemical RMs play a fundamental role in the high‐precision and accurate determination of Ba isotopic compositions for natural samples with similar matrices. Analyses of these RMs could provide universal comparability for Ba isotope data and enable assessment of accuracy for interlaboratory data.     

High‐Precision Measurement of Stable Cr Isotopes in Geological Reference Materials by a Double‐Spike TIMS Method

Chromium (Cr) isotopes have been widely used in various fields of Earth and planetary sciences. However, high‐precision measurements of Cr stable isotope ratios are still challenged by difficulties in purifying Cr and organic matter interference from resin using double‐spike thermal ionisation mass spectrometry. In this study, an improved and easily operated two‐column chemical separation procedure using AG50W‐X12 (200–400 mesh) resin is introduced. This resin has a higher cross‐linking density than AG50W‐X8, and this higher density generates better separation efficiency and higher saturation. Organic matter from the resin is a common cause of inhibition of the emission of Cr during analysis by TIMS. Here, perchloric and nitric acids were utilised to eliminate organic matter interference. The Cr isotope ratios of samples with lower Cr contents could be measured precisely by TIMS. The long‐term intermediate measurement precision of δ^53/52Cr_{NIST SRM 979} for BHVO‐2 is better than ± 0.031‰ (2s) over one year. Replicated digestions and measurements of geological reference materials (OKUM, MUH‐1, JP‐1, BHVO‐1, BHVO‐2, AGV‐2 and GSP‐2) yield δ^53/52Cr_{NIST SRM 979} results ranging from ?0.129‰ to ?0.032‰. The Cr isotope ratios of geological reference materials are consistent with the δ^53/52Cr_{NIST SRM 979} values reported by previous studies, and the measurement uncertainty (± 0.031‰, 2s) is significantly improved.     

Off‐Mount Calibration and One New Potential Pyrrhotite Reference Material for Sulfur Isotope Measurement by Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry

Sulfur isotope measurements in three sulfide (two pyrite and one pyrrhotite) samples on two epoxy mounts showed that the mount‐to‐mount variation of raw δ³⁴S values was negligible when secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) analytical settings remained stable. In consequence, an off‐mount calibration procedure for SIMS sulfur isotope analysis was applied in this study. YP136 is a pyrrhotite sample collected from northern Finland. Examination of thin sections with a polarising microscope, backscattered electron image analyses and wavelength dispersive spectrometry mapping showed that the sample grains display no internal growth or other zoning. A total of 318 sulfur isotope (spot) measurements conducted on more than 100 randomly selected grains yielded highly consistent sulfur isotope ratios. The repeatability of all the analytical results of ³⁴S/³²S was 0.3‰ (2s, n = 318), which is the same as that of the well‐characterised pyrite reference materials PPP‐1 and UWPy‐1. Its δ³⁴S value determined by gas mass spectrometry was 1.5 ± 0.1‰ (2s, n = 11), which agrees with the SIMS data (1.5 ± 0.3‰, 2s) calibrated by pyrrhotite reference material Po‐10. Therefore, YP136 pyrrhotite is considered a candidate reference material for in situ sulfur isotope determination.     

Precise Determination of Silicon Isotopes in Silicate Rock Reference Materials by MC‐ICP‐MS

A HF‐free sample preparation method was used to purify silicon in twelve geological RMs. Silicon isotope compositions were determined using a Neptune instrument multi‐collector‐ICP‐MS in high‐resolution mode, which allowed separation of the silicon isotope plateaus from their interferences. A 1 μg g^‐1 Mg spike was added to each sample and standard solution for online mass bias drift correction. δ³⁰Si and δ²⁹Si values are expressed in per mil (‰), relative to the NIST SRM 8546 (NBS‐28) international isotopic RM. The total variation of δ³⁰Si in the geological reference samples analysed in this study ranged from ‐0.13‰ to ‐0.29‰. Comparison with δ²⁹Si values shows that these isotopic fractionations were mass dependent. IRMM‐17 yielded a δ³⁰Si value of ‐1.41 ± 0.07‰ (2s, n = 12) in agreement with previous data. The long‐term reproducibility for natural samples obtained on BHVO‐2 yielded δ³⁰Si = ‐0.27 ± 0.08‰ (2s, n = 42) on a 12 month time scale. An in‐house Si reference sample was produced to check for the long‐term reproducibility of a mono‐elemental sample solution; this yielded a comparable uncertainty of ± 0.07‰ (2s, n = 24) over 5 months.     

Measurement of the Isotopic Composition of Molybdenum in Geological Samples by MC‐ICP‐MS using a Novel Chromatographic Extraction Technique

A novel preconcentration method is presented for the determination of Mo isotope ratios by multi‐collector inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry (MC‐ICP‐MS) in geological samples. The method is based on the separation of Mo by extraction chromatography using N‐benzoyl‐N‐phenylhydroxylamine (BPHA) supported on a microporous acrylic ester polymeric resin (Amberlite CG‐71). By optimising the procedure, Mo could be simply and effectively separated from virtually all matrix elements with a single pass through a small volume of BPHA resin (0.5 ml). This technique for separation and enrichment of Mo is characterised by high selectivity, column efficiency and recovery (~ 100%), and low total procedural blank (~ 0.18 ng). A ¹⁰⁰Mo‐⁹⁷Mo double spike was mixed with samples before digestion and column separation, which enabled natural mass‐dependent isotopic fractionation to be determined with a measurement reproducibility of  < 0.09‰ (δ^98/95Mo, 2s) by MC‐ICP‐MS. The mean δ^98/95Mo_{SRM 3134} (NIST SRM 3134 Mo reference material; Lot No. 891307) composition of the IAPSO seawater reference material measured in this study was 2.00 ± 0.03‰ (2s, n = 3), which is consistent with previously published values. The described procedure facilitated efficient and rapid Mo isotopic determination in various types of geological samples.     

δ98/95Mo values and Molybdenum Concentration Data for NIST SRM 610, 612 and 3134: Towards a Common Protocol for Reporting Mo Data

Molybdenum concentration and δ^98/95Mo values for NIST SRM 610 and 612 (solid glass), NIST SRM 3134 (lot 891307; liquid) and IAPSO seawater reference material are presented based on comparative measurements by MC‐ICP‐MS performed in laboratories at the Universities of Bern and Oxford. NIST SRM 3134 and NIST SRM 610 and 612 were found to have identical and homogeneous ⁹⁸Mo/⁹⁵Mo ratios at a test portion mass of 0.02 g. We suggest, therefore, that NIST SRM 3134 should be used as reference for the δ–Mo notation and to employ NIST SRM 610 or 612 as solid silicate secondary measurement standards, in the absence of an isotopically homogeneous solid geological reference material for Mo. The δ^98/95Mo_{JMC Bern} composition (Johnson Matthey ICP standard solution, lot 602332B as reference) of NIST SRM 3134 was 0.25 ± 0.09‰ (2s). Based on five new values, we determined more precisely the mean open ocean δ^98/95Mo_{SRM 3134} value of 2.09 ± 0.07‰, which equals the value of δ^98/95Mo_{JMC Bern} of 2.34 ± 0.07‰. We also refined the Mo concentration data for NIST SRM 610 to 412 ± 9 μg g^?1 (2s) and NIST SRM 612 to 6.4 ± 0.7 μg g^?1 by isotope dilution. We propose these concentration data as new working values, which allow for more accurate in situ Mo determination using laser ablation ICP‐MS or SIMS.     

A Rapid Method for Determining Boron Concentration (ID‐ICP‐MS) and δ11B (MC‐ICP‐MS) in Vegetation Samples after Microwave Digestion and Cation Exchange Chemical Purification

We present in this article a rapid method for B extraction, purification and accurate B concentration and δ¹¹B measurements by ID‐ICP‐MS and MC‐ICP‐MS, respectively, in different vegetation samples (bark, wood and tree leaves). We developed a rapid three‐step procedure including (1) microwave digestion, (2) cation exchange chromatography and (3) microsublimation. The entire procedure can be performed in a single working day and has shown to allow full B recovery yield and a measurement repeatability as low as 0.36‰ (± 2s) for isotope ratios. Uncertainties mostly originate from the cation exchange step but are independent of the nature of the vegetation sample. For δ¹¹B determination by MC‐ICP‐MS, the effect of chemical impurities in the loading sample solution has shown to be critical if the dissolved load exceeds 5 μg g^?1 of total salts or 25 μg g^?1 of DOC. Our results also demonstrate that the acid concentration in the sample loading solution can also induce critical isotopic bias by MC‐ICP‐MS if chemistry of the rinsing‐, bracketing calibrator‐ and sample solutions is not thoroughly adjusted. We applied this method to provide a series of δ¹¹B values of vegetal reference materials (NIST SRM 1570a = 25.74 ± 0.21‰; NIST 1547 = 40.12 ± 0.21‰; B2273 = 4.56 ± 0.15‰; BCR 060 = ?8.72 ± 0.16‰; NCS DC73349 = 16.43 ± 0.12‰).     

Nickel Isotope Variations in Terrestrial Silicate Rocks and Geological Reference Materials Measured by MC‐ICP‐MS

Although initial studies have demonstrated the applicability of Ni isotopes for cosmochemistry and as a potential biosignature, the Ni isotope composition of terrestrial igneous and sedimentary rocks, and ore deposits remains poorly known. Our contribution is fourfold: (a) to detail an analytical procedure for Ni isotope determination, (b) to determine the Ni isotope composition of various geological reference materials, (c) to assess the isotope composition of the Bulk Silicate Earth relative to the Ni isotope reference material NIST SRM 986 and (d) to report the range of mass‐dependent Ni isotope fractionations in magmatic rocks and ore deposits. After purification through a two‐stage chromatography procedure, Ni isotope ratios were measured by MC‐ICP‐MS and were corrected for instrumental mass bias using a double‐spike correction method. Measurement precision (two standard error of the mean) was between 0.02 and 0.04‰, and intermediate measurement precision for NIST SRM 986 was 0.05‰ (2s). Igneous‐ and mantle‐derived rocks displayed a restricted range of δ^60/58Ni values between ?0.13 and +0.16‰, suggesting an average BSE composition of +0.05‰. Manganese nodules (Nod A1; P1), shale (SDO‐1), coal (CLB‐1) and a metal‐contaminated soil (NIST SRM 2711) showed positive values ranging between +0.14 and +1.06‰, whereas komatiite‐hosted Ni‐rich sulfides varied from ?0.10 to ?1.03‰.     

High Precision Sr‐Nd‐Hf‐Pb Isotopic Compositions of USGS Reference Material BCR‐2

The Lamont‐Doherty Earth Observatory radiogenic isotope group has been systematically measuring Sr‐Nd‐Pb‐Hf isotopes of USGS reference material BCR‐2 (Columbia River Basalt 2), as a chemical processing and instrumental quality control monitor for isotopic measurements. BCR‐2 is now a widely used geochemical inter‐laboratory reference material (RM), with its predecessor BCR‐1 no longer available. Recognising that precise and accurate data on RMs is important for ensuring analytical quality and for comparing data between different laboratories, we present a compilation of multiple digestions and analyses made on BCR‐2 during the first author's dissertation research. The best estimates of Sr, Nd and Hf isotope ratios and measurement reproducibilities, after filtering at the 2s level for outliers, were ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr = 0.705000 ± 11 (2s, 16 ppm, n = 21, sixteen digestions, one outlier), ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd = 0.512637 ± 13 (2s, 25 ppm, n = 27, thirteen digestions, one outlier) and ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf = 0.282866 ± 11 (2s, 39 ppm, n = 25, thirteen digestions, no outliers). Mean Nd and Hf values were within error of those reported by Weis et al. (2006, 2007) in their studies of RMs; mean Sr values were just outside the 2s uncertainty range of both laboratories. Moreover, a survey of published Sr‐Nd‐Hf data shows that our results fall within the range of reported values, but with a smaller variability. Our Pb isotope results on acid leached BCR‐2 aliquots (n = 26, twelve digestions, two outliers) were ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 18.8029 ± 10 (2s, 55 ppm), ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 15.6239 ± 8 (2s, 52 ppm), ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 38.8287 ± 25 (2s, 63 ppm). We confirm that unleached BCR‐2 powder is contaminated with Pb, and that sufficient leaching prior to digestion is required to achieve accurate values for the uncontaminated Pb isotopic compositions.     

Mass‐Independent and Mass‐Dependent Ca Isotopic Compositions of Thirteen Geological Reference Materials Measured by Thermal Ionisation Mass Spectrometry

We report mass‐independent and mass‐dependent Ca isotopic compositions for thirteen geological reference materials, including carbonates (NIST SRM 915a and 915b), Atlantic seawater as well as ten rock reference materials ranging from peridotite to sandstone, using traditional ε and δ values relative to NIST SRM 915a, respectively. Isotope ratio determinations were conducted by independent unspiked and ⁴³Ca‐⁴⁸Ca double‐spiked measurements using a customised Triton Plus TIMS. The mean of twelve measurement results gave ε^40/44Ca values within ± 1.1, except for GSP‐2 that had ε^40/44Ca = 4.04 ± 0.15 (2SE). Significant radiogenic ⁴⁰Ca enrichment was evident in some high K/Ca samples. At an uncertainty level of ± 0.6, all reference materials had the same ε^43/44Ca and ε^48/44Ca values. We suggest the use of δ^44/42Ca to report mass‐dependent Ca isotopic compositions. The precision under intermediate measurement conditions for δ^44/42Ca over eight months in our laboratory was ± 0.03‰ (with n ≥ 8 repeat measurements). Measured igneous reference materials gave δ^44/42Ca values ranging from 0.27‰ to 0.54‰. Significant Ca isotope fractionation may occur during magmatic and metasomatism processes. Studied reference materials with higher (Dy_n/Yb_n) tend to have lower δ^44/42Ca, implying a potential role of garnet in producing magmas with low δ^44/42Ca. Sandstone GBW07106 had a δ^44/42Ca value of 0.22‰, lower than all igneous rocks studied so far.     

Barium Isotopic Compositions of Geological Reference Materials

The interest in variations of barium (Ba) stable isotope amount ratios in low and high temperature environments has increased over the past several years. Characterisation of Ba isotope ratios of widely available reference materials is now required to validate analytical procedures and to allow comparison of data obtained by different laboratories. We present new Ba isotope amount ratio data for twelve geological reference materials with silicate (AGV‐1, G‐2, BHVO‐1, QLO‐1, BIR‐1, JG‐1a, JB‐1a, JR‐1 and JA‐1), carbonate (IAEA‐CO‐9) and sulfate matrices (IAEA‐SO‐5 and IAEA‐SO‐6) relative to NIST SRM 3104a. In addition, two artificially fractionated in‐house reference materials BaBe12 and BaBe27 (δ^137/134Ba = ?1.161 ± 0.049‰ and ?0.616 ± 0.050‰, respectively) are used as quality control solutions for the negative δ‐range. Accuracy of our data was assessed by interlaboratory comparison between the University of Bern and the United States Geological Survey (USGS). Data were measured by MC‐ICP‐MS (Bern) and TIMS (USGS) using two different double spikes for mass bias correction (¹³⁰Ba–¹³⁵Ba and ¹³²Ba–¹³⁶Ba, respectively). MC‐ICP‐MS measurements were further tested for isobaric and non‐spectral matrix effects by a number of common matrix elements. The results are in excellent agreement and suggest data accuracy.     

Sub‐Permil Interlaboratory Consistency for Solution‐Based Boron Isotope Analyses on Marine Carbonates

Boron isotopes in marine carbonates are increasingly used to reconstruct seawater pH and atmospheric pCO₂ through Earth’s history. While isotope ratio measurements from individual laboratories are often of high quality, it is important that records generated in different laboratories can equally be compared. Within this Boron Isotope Intercomparison Project (BIIP), we characterised the boron isotopic composition (commonly expressed in δ¹¹B) of two marine carbonates: Geological Survey of Japan carbonate reference materials JCp‐1 (coral Porites) and JCt‐1 (giant clam Tridacna gigas). Our study has three foci: (a) to assess the extent to which oxidative pre‐treatment, aimed at removing organic material from carbonate, can influence the resulting δ¹¹B; (b) to determine to what degree the chosen analytical approach may affect the resultant δ¹¹B; and (c) to provide well‐constrained consensus δ¹¹B values for JCp‐1 and JCt‐1. The resultant robust mean and associated robust standard deviation (s*) for un‐oxidised JCp‐1 is 24.36 ± 0.45‰ (2s*), compared with 24.25 ± 0.22‰ (2s*) for the same oxidised material. For un‐oxidised JCt‐1, respective compositions are 16.39 ± 0.60‰ (2s*; un‐oxidised) and 16.24 ± 0.38‰ (2s*; oxidised). The consistency between laboratories is generally better if carbonate powders were oxidatively cleaned prior to purification and measurement.     

Molybdenum Mass Fractions and Isotopic Compositions of International Geological Reference Materials

The double‐spike method with multi‐collector inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry was used to measure the Mo mass fractions and isotopic compositions of a set of geological reference materials including the mineral molybdenite, seawater, coral, as well as igneous and sedimentary rocks. The long‐term reproducibility of the Mo isotopic measurements, based on two‐year analyses of NIST SRM 3134 reference solutions and seawater samples, was ≤ 0.07‰ (two standard deviations, 2s, n = 167) for δ^98/95Mo. Accuracy was evaluated by analyses of Atlantic seawater, which yielded a mean δ^98/95Mo of 2.03 ± 0.06‰ (2s, n = 30, relative to NIST SRM 3134 = 0‰) and mass fraction of 0.0104 ± 0.0006 μg g^?1 (2s, n = 30), which is indistinguishable from seawater samples taken world‐wide and measured in other laboratories. The comprehensive data set presented in this study serves as a reference for quality assurance and interlaboratory comparison of high‐precision Mo mass fractions and isotopic compositions.     

Characterisation of Three Sri Lankan Zircon Megacrysts as Potential Reference Materials for Microbeam U-Pb Geochronology and Hf-O-Zr Isotope Measurements

In situ U-Pb geochronology and hafnium, oxygen and zirconium isotope measurements in zircons using laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) and ion microprobe techniques can provide essential isotopic data to constrain geological evolutionary histories. Developing reliable zircon reference materials is the cornerstone for in situ zircon chronology and isotopic studies. In this study, the homogeneity of U-Pb ages and Hf-O-Zr isotope ratios in three Sri Lankan zircon megacrysts (SLZA, SLZB and SLZC) were investigated using multiple analytical methods. The obtained U, Th, Pb and Hf mass fractions of the SLZA zircon were 839 ± 56 μg g^-1 (1s), 151 ± 15 μg g^-1 (1s), 198 ± 28 μg g^-1 (1s) and 8635 ± 286 μg g^-1 (1s), respectively. The mass fractions of U, Th, Pb and Hf in the SLZB zircon were 1106 ± 106 μg g^-1 (1s), 331 ± 61 μg g^-1 (1s), 376 ± 57 μg g^-1 (1s) and 9673 ± 976 μg g^-1 (1s), respectively. The U, Th, Pb and Hf mass fractions determined in the SLZC zircon were 551 ± 35 μg g^-1 (1s), 111 ± 8 μg g^-1 (1s), 129 ± 18 μg g^-1 (1s) and 7881 ± 393 μg g^-1 (1s), respectively. The chemical abrasion isotope dilution thermal ionisation mass-spectrometry (CA-ID-TIMS) method yielded a Th-corrected weighted mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age of 556.94 ± 1.29 Ma (95% conf., n = 5) for the SLZA zircon, 552.90 ± 1.29 Ma (95% conf., n = 7) for the SLZB zircon and 560.83 ± 1.29 Ma (95% conf., n = 7) for the SLZC zircon. The obtained Hf isotopic compositions of the SLZA, SLZB and SLZC zircons determined with the solution MC-ICP-MS method were 0.281651 ± 0.000014 (2s, n = 10), 0.281704 ± 0.000008 (2s, n = 10) and 0.281676 ± 0.000006 (2s, n = 10), respectively. The obtained O isotopes of the SLZA and SLZB zircons measured with the laser fluorination method were 12.14 ± 0.56‰ (2s, n = 4) and 11.91 ± 0.30‰ (2s, n = 4), respectively. The Zr isotopes of the SLZA, SLZB and SLZC zircons determined with double spike TIMS analysis yielded mean δ⁹⁴/⁹⁰Zr_SRM3169 values of -0.03 ± 0.06‰ (2s, n = 10), -0.03 ± 0.04‰ (2s, n = 10) and 0.00 ± 0.07‰ (2s, n = 8), respectively. The SLZA zircon can be used as a primary reference or quality control material for microbeam U-Pb, Hf and Zr isotope measurements because of its slight heterogeneity. The U-Pb, Hf and Zr isotopic compositions of the SLZB and SLZC megacrysts were homogeneous. The O isotopic compositions in the SLZA and SLZB zircon were slightly dispersed, indicating that these two megacrysts can only serve as secondary reference materials for microbeam O isotope measurements.     

NIST RM 8301 Boron Isotopes in Marine Carbonate (Simulated Coral and Foraminifera Solutions): Inter‐laboratory δ11B and Trace Element Ratio Value Assignment

The boron isotopic ratio of ¹¹B/¹⁰B (δ¹¹B_SRM951) and trace element composition of marine carbonates are key proxies for understanding carbon cycling (pH) and palaeoceanographic change. However, method validation and comparability of results between laboratories requires carbonate reference materials. Here, we report results of an inter‐laboratory comparison study to both assign δ¹¹B_SRM951 and trace element compositions to new synthetic marine carbonate reference materials (RMs), NIST RM 8301 (Coral) and NIST RM 8301 (Foram) and to assess the variance of data among laboratories. Non‐certified reference values and expanded 95% uncertainties for δ¹¹B_SRM951 in NIST RM 8301 (Coral) (+24.17‰ ± 0.18‰) and NIST RM 8301 (Foram) (+14.51‰ ± 0.17‰) solutions were assigned by consensus approach using inter‐laboratory data. Differences reported among laboratories were considerably smaller than some previous inter‐laboratory comparisons, yet discrepancies could still lead to large differences in calculated seawater pH. Similarly, variability in reported trace element information among laboratories (e.g., Mg/Ca ± 5% RSD) was often greater than within a single laboratory (e.g., Mg/Ca < 2%). Such differences potentially alter proxy‐reconstructed seawater temperature by more than 2 °C. These now well‐characterised solutions are useful reference materials to help the palaeoceanographic community build a comprehensive view of past ocean changes.