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- Title
Rapid determination of carbon isotope composition in carbonatites using isotope ratio mass spectrometry – Comparison of dual‐inlet, elemental‐analyzer and continuous‐flow techniques.
- Authors
Trubač, Jakub; Magna, Tomáš; Čejková, Bohuslava; Vondrovicová, Lenka; Rapprich, Vladislav
- Abstract
Rationale: Applications where stable C and O isotope compositions are useful require routine instrumental techniques with a fast sample throughput which should also produce accurate and precise results. We present a comparison of three different instrumental isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) approaches (Dual Inlet ‐ DI; Elemental Analyzer ‐ EA; Continuous Flow ‐ CF) to determine the stable isotope composition of carbon in carbonate matrices, with a focus on evaluating the optimum approach for less complex instrumental techniques. Methods: The DI‐IRMS method is taken as an absolute method for obtaining accurate and precise 13C/12C ratios with internal errors usually < ±0.01‰ (2SD) and long‐term reproducibility better than ±0.03‰ (2SD). The drawbacks of DI‐IRMS are that it requires extensive offline sample preparation, rather large sample sizes (commonly >20 mg) and extended analysis times. Results: EA‐IRMS provides rapidity of analysis, relatively non‐complex technique optimization and large sample throughput sufficient to distinguish natural trends although the larger internal errors and poorer reproducibility must be considered. The major disadvantage of EA‐IRMS lies in a constant offset of the 13C/12C ratios against DI‐IRMS, large internal errors (±0.2‰, 2SD) and the worst reproducibility (±0.3‰, 2SD) of all the explored methods. The results acquired using CF‐IRMS are comparable with those obtained by employing DI‐IRMS with an external reproducibility better than ±0.2‰ (2SD). Compared with EA‐IRMS, however, this technique requires more elaborate sample preparation – more akin to DI‐IRMS. None of these two latter techniques can provide C isotope results for coexisting phases such as calcite, dolomite and ankerite unless they are physically separated and analyzed independently. Conclusions: All methods are appropriate for 13C/12C determinations with CF‐IRMS and EA‐IRMS less applicable to high‐precision measurements but relevant for studies requiring high sample throughput. Periodical analysis of matrix‐matched reference materials during the analytical sequence is warranted for both EA‐IRMS and CF‐IRMS.
- Subjects
CARBON isotopes; MASS spectrometry; ISOTOPES; STABLE isotopes; CONTINUOUS flow reactors; CHEMICAL sample preparation
- Publication
Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry: RCM, 2019, Vol 33, Issue 16, p1355
- ISSN
0951-4198
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1002/rcm.8482