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.     

Iron Isotopic Compositions of Geological Reference Materials and Chondrites

High‐precision iron isotopic compositions for Fe‐bearing geological reference materials and chondrites with a wide range of matrices (e.g., silicates, oxides, organic‐bearing materials) are reported. This comprehensive data set should serve as a reference for iron isotopic studies across a range of geological and biological disciplines for both quality assurance and inter‐laboratory calibration. Where comparison is available, the iron isotopic compositions of most geological reference materials measured in this study were in agreement with previously published data within quoted uncertainties. Recommendations for the reporting of future iron isotopic data and associated uncertainties are also presented. Long‐term repeat analyses of all samples indicate that highly reproducible iron isotopic measurements are now obtainable (± 0.03‰ and ± 0.05‰ for δ⁵⁶Fe and δ⁵⁷Fe, respectively).     

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.     

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.     

High‐Precision Iron Isotope Analysis of Geological Reference Materials by High‐Resolution MC‐ICP‐MS

We report high‐precision iron isotopic data for twenty‐two commercially available geological reference materials, including silicates, carbonatite, shale, carbonate and clay. Accuracy was checked by analyses of synthetic solutions with known Fe isotopic compositions but different matrices ranging from felsic to ultramafic igneous rocks, high Ca and low Fe limestone, to samples enriched in transition group elements (e.g., Cu, Co and Ni). Analyses over a 2‐year period of these synthetic samples and pure Fe solutions that were processed through the whole chemistry procedure yielded an average δ⁵⁶Fe value of ?0.001 ± 0.025‰ (2s, n = 74), identical to the expected true value of 0. This demonstrates a long‐term reproducibility and accuracy of < 0.03‰ for determination of ⁵⁶Fe/⁵⁴Fe ratios. Reproducibility and accuracy were further confirmed by replicate measurements of the twenty‐two RMs, which yielded results that perfectly match the mean values of published data within quoted uncertainties. New recommended values and associated uncertainties are presented for interlaboratory calibration in the future.     

Proposal for an International Molybdenum Isotope Measurement Standard and Data Representation

Molybdenum isotopes are increasingly widely applied in Earth Sciences. They are primarily used to investigate the oxygenation of Earth's ocean and atmosphere. However, more and more fields of application are being developed, such as magmatic and hydrothermal processes, planetary sciences or the tracking of environmental pollution. Here, we present a proposal for a unifying presentation of Mo isotope ratios in the studies of mass‐dependent isotope fractionation. We suggest that the δ^98/95Mo of the NIST SRM 3134 be defined as +0.25‰. The rationale is that the vast majority of published data are presented relative to reference materials that are similar, but not identical, and that are all slightly lighter than NIST SRM 3134. Our proposed data presentation allows a direct first‐order comparison of almost all old data with future work while referring to an international measurement standard. In particular, canonical δ^98/95Mo values such as +2.3‰ for seawater and ?0.7‰ for marine Fe–Mn precipitates can be kept for discussion. As recent publications show that the ocean molybdenum isotope signature is homogeneous, the IAPSO ocean water standard or any other open ocean water sample is suggested as a secondary measurement standard, with a defined δ^98/95Mo value of +2.34 ± 0.10‰ (2s).     

High‐Precision Fe and Mg Isotope Ratios of Silicate Reference Glasses Determined In Situ by Femtosecond LA‐MC‐ICP‐MS and by Solution Nebulisation MC‐ICP‐MS

In this study, a technique for high precision in situ Fe and Mg isotope determinations by femtosecond‐laser ablation‐multi collector‐ICP‐MS (fs‐LA‐MC‐ICP‐MS) was developed. This technique was employed to determine reference values for a series of common reference glasses that may be used for external standardisation of in situ Fe and Mg isotope determinations in silicates. The analysed glasses are part of the MPI‐DING and United States Geological Survey (USGS) reference glass series, consisting of basaltic (BIR‐1G, BCR‐2G, BHVO‐2G, KL2‐G, ML3B‐G) and komatiitic (GOR128‐G and GOR132‐G) compositions. Their Fe and Mg isotope compositions were determined by in situ fs‐LA‐MC‐ICP‐MS and by conventional solution nebulisation multi‐collector ICP‐MS. We determined δ⁵⁶Fe values for these glasses ranging between ‐0.04‰ and 0.10‰ (relative to IRMM‐014) and δ²⁶Mg values ranging between ‐0.40‰ and ‐0.15‰ (relative to DSM‐3). Our fs‐LA‐MC‐ICP‐MS results for both Fe and Mg isotope compositions agreed with solution nebulisation analyses within analytical uncertainties. Furthermore, the results of three USGS reference glasses (BIR‐1G, BHVO‐2G and BCR‐2G) agreed with previous results for powdered and dissolved aliquots of the same reference materials. Measurement reproducibilities of the in situ determinations of δ⁵⁶Fe and δ²⁶Mg values were usually better than 0.12‰ and 0.13‰ (2s), respectively. We further demonstrate that our technique is a suitable tool to resolve isotopic zoning in chemically‐zoned olivine crystals. It may be used for a variety of different applications on isotopically‐zoned minerals, e.g., in magmatic or metamorphic rocks or meteorites, to unravel their formation or cooling rates.     

Calibration of the New Certified Reference Materials ERM‐AE633 and ERM‐AE647 for Copper and IRMM‐3702 for Zinc Isotope Amount Ratio Determinations

The commonly used, but no longer available, reference materials NIST SRM 976 (Cu) and ‘JMC Lyon’ (Zn) were calibrated against the new reference materials ERM^®‐AE633, ERM^®‐AE647 (Cu) and IRMM‐3702 (Zn), certified for isotope amount ratios. This cross‐calibration of new with old reference materials provides a continuous and reliable comparability of already published with future Cu and Zn isotope data. The Cu isotope amount ratio of NIST SRM 976 yielded δ^65/63Cu values of ?0.01 ± 0.05‰ and ?0.21 ± 0.05‰ relative to ERM^®‐AE633 and ERM^®‐AE647, respectively, and a δ^66/64Zn_IRMM‐3702 value of ?0.29 ± 0.05‰ was determined for ‘JMC Lyon’. Furthermore, we separated Cu and Zn from five geological reference materials (BCR‐2, BHVO‐2, BIR‐1, AGV‐1 and G‐2) using a two‐step ion‐exchange chromatographic procedure. Possible isotope fractionation of Cu during chromatographic purification and introduction of resin‐ and/or matrix‐induced interferences were assessed by enriched ⁶⁵Cu isotope addition. Instrumental mass bias correction for the isotope ratio determinations by MC‐ICP‐MS was performed using calibrator‐sample bracketing with internal Ni doping for Cu and a double spike approach for Zn. Our results for the five geological reference materials were in very good agreement with literature data, confirming the accuracy and applicability of our analytical protocol.     

Lithium Isotope Composition of Ultramafic Geological Reference Materials JP‐1 and DTS‐2

An organic solvent‐free two‐step column procedure is presented that provided robust, high yield and super clean separation of Li from silicate rock sample matrices. The measured δ⁷Li value for BHVO‐2 of +4.29 ± 0.23‰ (1s) is comparable with the reported values. The δ⁷Li values for GSJ JP‐1 (+3.14 ± 0.41‰, 1s) and USGS DTS‐2 (+4.91 ± 0.34‰, 1s) presented here provide new reference values for ultramafic rock reference materials.     

Magnesium Isotopic Compositions of International Geological Reference Materials

Magnesium isotopic compositions are reported for twenty‐four international geological reference materials including igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks, as well as phlogopite and serpentine minerals. The long‐term reproducibility of Mg isotopic determination, based on 4‐year analyses of olivine and seawater samples, was ≤ 0.07‰ (2s) for δ²⁶Mg and ≤ 0.05‰ (2s) for δ²⁵Mg. Accuracy was tested by analysis of synthetic reference materials down to the quoted long‐term reproducibility. This comprehensive dataset, plus seawater data produced in the same laboratory, serves as a reference for quality assurance and inter‐laboratory comparison of high‐precision Mg isotopic data.     

Production and Certification of a Unique Set of Isotope and Delta Reference Materials for Boron Isotope Determination in Geochemical,Environmental and Industrial Materials

Isotopic reference materials are essential to enable reliable and comparable isotope data. In the case of boron only a very limited number of such materials is available, thus preventing adequate quality control of measurement results and validation of analytical procedures. To address this situation a unique set of two boron isotope reference materials (ERM‐AE102a and ‐AE104a) and three offset δ¹¹B reference materials (ERM‐AE120, ‐AE121 and ‐AE122) were produced and certified. The present article describes the production and certification procedure in detail. The isotopic composition of all the materials was adjusted by mixing boron parent solutions enriched in ¹⁰B or ¹¹B with a boron parent solution having a natural isotopic composition under full gravimetric control. All parent solutions were analysed for their boron concentration as well as their boron isotopic composition by thermal ionisation mass spectrometry (TIMS) using isotope dilution as the calibration technique. For all five reference materials the isotopic composition obtained on the basis of the gravimetric data agreed very well with the isotopic composition obtained from different TIMS techniques. Stability and homogeneity studies that were performed showed no significant influence on the isotopic composition or on the related uncertainties. The three reference materials ERM‐AE120, ERM‐AE121 and ERM‐AE122 are the first reference materials with natural δ¹¹B values not equal to 0‰. The certified δ¹¹B values are ?20.2‰ for ERM‐AE120, 19.9‰ for ERM‐AE121 and 39.7‰ for ERM‐AE122, each with an expanded uncertainty (k = 2) of 0.6‰. These materials were produced to cover about three‐quarters of the known natural boron isotope variation. The ¹⁰B enriched isotope reference materials ERM‐AE102a and ERM‐AE104a were produced for industrial applications utilising ¹⁰B for neutron shielding purposes. The certified ¹⁰B isotope abundances are 0.29995 for ERM‐AE102a and 0.31488 for ERM‐AE104a with expanded uncertainties (k = 2) of 0.00027 and 0.00028, respectively. Together with the formerly certified ERM‐AE101 and ERM‐AE103 a unique set of four isotope reference materials and three offset δ¹¹B reference materials for boron isotope determination are now available from European Reference Materials.     

Determination of Precise and Accurate 51V/50V Isotope Ratios by Multi‐Collector ICP‐MS,Part 2: Isotopic Composition of Six Reference Materials plus the Allende Chondrite and Verification Tests

We present the first measurements of vanadium (V) stable isotopes for six reference materials – USGS PCC‐1, BHVO‐2, BCR‐2, BIR‐1a, GSP‐2 and AGV‐2 – plus the widely available carbonaceous chondrite Allende. We present standard addition and matrix spiking tests to assess the robustness and reproducibility of our data. Standard addition utilised an enriched ⁵⁰V solution designated VISSOX (Vanadium Isotope Standard Solution OXford). We further assessed the veracity of the method by spiking collected sample matrices with the same amount of a V standard solution, whose isotopic composition was defined as 0‰. Standard addition and matrix spiking tests recorded no appreciable artificial isotope fractionation. We estimate that the best currently attainable long‐term reproducibility of stable ⁵¹V/⁵⁰V isotope measurements in complex matrices is 0.15‰, which is in the same order as the reproducibility achievable with standard solutions. Finally, a large range of ～ 1.2‰ in stable V isotopic composition was documented, with ～ 0.5‰ of that variation in high temperature igneous materials alone. The range and resolving power of V stable isotopes, with respect to igneous material, compared favourably with the magnitude of fractionation reported for other non‐traditional stable isotope systems, which bodes well for the utility of this new system.     

Molybdenum Mass Fractions and Stable Isotope Compositions of Sedimentary Carbonate and Silicate Reference Materials

A double‐spike method in combination with MC‐ICP‐MS was applied to obtain molybdenum (Mo) mass fractions and stable isotope compositions in a suite of sedimentary silicate (marine, lake, stream, estuarine, organic‐rich sediment, shales, slate, chert) and carbonate reference materials (coral, dolomite, limestones, carbonatites), and a manganese nodule reference material, poorly characterised for stable Mo isotope compositions. The Mo contents vary between 0.076 and 364 μg g^?1, with low‐Mo mass fractions (< 0.29 μg g^?1) found almost exclusively in carbonates. Intermediate Mo contents (0.73–2.70 μg g^?1) are reported for silicate sediments, with the exception of chert JCh‐1 (0.24 μg g^?1), organic‐rich shale SGR‐1b (36.6 μg g^?1) and manganese nodule NOD‐A‐1 (364 μg g^?1). The Mo isotope compositions (reported as δ⁹⁸Mo relative to NIST SRM 3134) range from ?1.77 to 1.03‰, with the intermediate precision varying between ± 0.01 and ± 0.12‰ (2s) for most materials. Low‐temperature carbonates show δ⁹⁸Mo values ranging from 0.21 to 1.03‰ whereas δ⁹⁸Mo values of ?1.77 and ?0.17‰ were obtained for carbonatites CMP‐1 and COQ‐1, respectively. Silicate materials have δ⁹⁸Mo values varying from ?1.56 to 0.73‰. The range of δ⁹⁸Mo values in reference materials may thus reflect the increasingly important relevance of Mo isotope investigations in the fields of palaeoceanography, weathering, sedimentation and provenance, as well as the magmatic realm.     

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.     

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.     

Zircon M127 – A Homogeneous Reference Material for SIMS U–Pb Geochronology Combined with Hafnium,Oxygen and,Potentially, Lithium Isotope Analysis

In this article, we document a detailed analytical characterisation of zircon M127, a homogeneous 12.7 carat gemstone from Ratnapura, Sri Lanka. Zircon M127 has TIMS‐determined mean U–Pb radiogenic isotopic ratios of 0.084743 ± 0.000027 for ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U and 0.67676 ± 0.00023 for ²⁰⁷Pb/²³⁵U (weighted means, 2s uncertainties). Its ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age of 524.36 ± 0.16 Ma (95% confidence uncertainty) is concordant within the uncertainties of decay constants. The δ¹⁸O value (determined by laser fluorination) is 8.26 ± 0.06‰ VSMOW (2s), and the mean ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf ratio (determined by solution ICP‐MS) is 0.282396 ± 0.000004 (2s). The SIMS‐determined δ⁷Li value is ?0.6 ± 0.9‰ (2s), with a mean mass fraction of 1.0 ± 0.1 μg g^?1 Li (2s). Zircon M127 contains ~ 923 μg g^?1 U. The moderate degree of radiation damage corresponds well with the time‐integrated self‐irradiation dose of 1.82 × 10¹⁸ alpha events per gram. This observation, and the (U–Th)/He age of 426 ± 7 Ma (2s), which is typical of unheated Sri Lankan zircon, enable us to exclude any thermal treatment. Zircon M127 is proposed as a reference material for the determination of zircon U–Pb ages by means of SIMS in combination with hafnium and stable isotope (oxygen and potentially also lithium) determination.     

Calcium,Na, K and Mg Concentrations in Seawater by Inductively Coupled Plasma‐Atomic Emission Spectrometry: Applications to IAPSO Seawater Reference Material,Hydrothermal Fluids and Synthetic Seawater Solutions

We report a measurement procedure to determine simultaneously the major cation concentrations (Na, Ca, K and Mg) of seawater‐derived solutions by inductively coupled plasma‐atomic emission spectrometry. The best results were obtained when the IAPSO (‘standard’) seawater reference material was diluted by thirty times with Milli‐Q^® water. We obtained an average reference value r_K (the ratio of the mass fraction of potassium to that of chlorine, i.e., (g kg^?1)/(g kg^?1)) for IAPSO seawater of 0.0205 ± 0.0006 (2.9% RSD), not significantly different from 0.0206 ± 0.0005 (2.4% RSD) for seawater composition reported in the literature. The measured Na, Ca and Mg concentrations correspond to r_Na, r_Ca and r_Mg values of 0.5406 ± 0.0026 (0.5% RSD), 0.02192 ± 0.00048 (2.2% RSD) and 0.06830 ± 0.00047 (0.7% RSD), respectively, in line with previous values measured by wet‐chemistry and atomic absorption spectrophotometry or wet‐chemical titration. Our measurement procedure was used successfully on synthetic seawater solutions and high‐temperature hydrothermal fluids.     

Sodic Pyroxene and Sodic Amphibole as Potential Reference Materials for In Situ Lithium Isotope Determinations by SIMS

Two large pegmatitic crystals of sodic pyroxene (aegirine) and sodic amphibole (arfvedsonite) from the agpaitic igneous Ilímaussaq Complex, south Greenland were found to be suitable as reference materials for in situ Li isotope determinations. Lithium concentrations determined by SIMS and micro‐drilled material analysed by MC‐ICP‐MS generally agreed within analytical uncertainty. The arfvedsonite crystal was homogeneous with [Li] = 639 ± 51 μg g^?1 (2s, n = 69, MC‐ICP‐MS and SIMS results). The aegirine crystal shows strongly developed sector zoning, which is a common feature of aegirines. Using qualitative element mapping techniques (EPMA), the homogeneous core of the crystal was easily distinguished from the outermost sectors of the crystals. The core had a mean [Li] of 47.6 ± 3.6 μg g^?1 (2s, n = 33) as determined by SIMS. The seven micro‐drilled regions measured by solution MC‐ICP‐MS returned slightly lower concentrations (41–46 μg g^?1), but still overlap with the SIMS data within uncertainty. Based on MC‐ICP‐MS and SIMS analyses, the variation in δ⁷Li was about 1‰ in each of the two crystals, which is smaller than that in widely used glass reference materials, making these two samples suitable to serve as reference materials. There was, however, a significant offset between the results of MC‐ICP‐MS and SIMS. The latter deviated from the MC‐ICP‐MS results by ?6.0 ± 1.9‰ (2s) for the amphibole and by ?3.9 ± 1.9‰ (2s) for the aegirine. This indicates the presence of a significant matrix effect in SIMS determinations of Li isotopes for amphibole and pyroxene relative to the basalt glasses used for calibration. Based on the MC‐ICP‐MS results, mean δ⁷Li values of +0.7 ± 1.2‰ (2s, n = 10) for the arfvedsonite crystal and of ?3.7 ± 1.2‰ (2s, n = 7) for the core of the aegirine crystal were calculated. Adopting these values, SIMS users can correct for the specific IMF (instrumental mass fractionation) of the ion probe used. We propose that these two crystals serve as reference materials for in situ Li isotope determinations by SIMS and pieces of these two crystals are available from the first author upon request.     

An Intercomparison Study of the Germanium Isotope Composition of Geological Reference Materials

Recent analytical developments in germanium stable isotope determination by multicollector ICP‐MS have provided new perspectives for the use of Ge isotopes as geochemical tracers. Here, we report the germanium isotope composition of the NIST SRM 3120a elemental reference solution that has been calibrated relative to internal isotopic standard solutions used in the previous studies. We also intercalibrate several geological reference materials as well as geological and meteoritic samples using different techniques, including online hydride generation and a spray chamber for sample introduction to MC‐ICP‐MS, and different approaches for mass bias corrections such as sample–calibrator bracketing, external mass bias correction using Ga isotopes and double‐spike normalisation. All methods yielded relatively similar precisions at around 0.1‰ (2s) for δ^74/70Ge values. Using igneous and mantle‐derived rocks, the bulk silicate Earth (BSE) δ^74/70Ge value was re‐evaluated to be 0.59 ± 0.18‰ (2s) relative to NIST SRM 3120a. Several sulfide samples were also analysed and yielded very negative values, down to ?4.3‰, consistent with recent theoretical study of Ge isotope fractionation. The strong heavy isotope depletion in ore deposits also contrasts with the generally positive Ge isotope values found in many modern and ancient marine sediments.     

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.