Investigation of matrix effects in the MC-ICP-MS induced by Nb, W, and Cu: Isotopic case studies of iron and copper

Some elements normally occur at trace levels while the majority of natural geological materials may be exceedingly enriched in some special cases, such as the Bayan Obo ore deposit where REE and Nb are extremely enriched. These elements may not be removed completely during purification. Therefore, matrix effects will be caused during stable isotope ratio measurement in the MC-ICP-MS. Experiments have shown that the established methods of chromatographic separation of Cu, Fe, and Zn using AG MP-1 Anion Exchange Resin cannot make effective separation of Nb, W, and Cu from Fe using 20 mL 6 M HCl. It is also observed that the elution curves of W and Cu overlap at working conditions and thus W is present in measurable amounts in some sample solutions. Matrix effects in the MC-ICP-MS induced by Nb, W, and Cu during Fe isotope ratio measurements and by W during Cu isotope ratio measurements were thus investigated by examining their changes in delta values between doped and undoped standards. The results show that the effects of the matrix elements Nb, W, or Cu on Fe isotope ratio measurements are minimal in the case of m(Nb)/m(Fe)<0.005, m(W)/m(Fe)<0.01, or m(Cu)/m(Fe)<0.6. This finding, combined with the extremely low levels of W and Cu, and the fact that nearly 90% of Nb can be removed during purification, demonstrates that the methods of chromatographic separation of Fe established before are suitable for Bayan Obo ore samples and that the methods can be simplified when Cu elution is unnecessary. The effects of the matrix element W on Cu isotope determinations are minimal in the case of m(W)/m(Cu)<0.7. Therefore, W exerts no significant effect on the measurements of Cu isotopes for the majority of natural geological materials.