High precision measurement of germanium isotope ratio variations by multiple collector-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry
- 17 December 2002
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) in Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry
- Vol. 18 (2) , 115-119
- https://doi.org/10.1039/b210233a
Abstract
Multicollector ICP-MS is used for the precise measurement of variations in the isotopic composition of germanium. Argon-based spectral interferences are assessed in the germanium mass region and the repeatability of the following ratios is determined: 74Ge/70Ge, 73Ge/70Ge and 72Ge/70Ge. The isotope ratio repeatability of a mono-elemental solution relative to another mono-elemental solution is better than 0.06‰ per u at 95% confidence. Variations in sample 74Ge/70Ge, 73Ge/70Ge, and 72Ge/70Ge ratios are expressed as δ74Ge δ73Ge and δ72Ge units, respectively, which are deviations in parts per 103 from the same ratio in the standard solution. The addition of sodium and potassium to a standard solution of germanium having a known isotopic composition induces up to 4.4‰ decrease of δ74Ge. This chemical bias is a result of a mass-dependent process and prevents the measurement of natural samples without chemical separation. Germanium is quantitatively separated from alkali matrix using liquid chromatography techniques.Keywords
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