Application of non-traditional stable isotopes in analytical ecogeochemistry assessed by MC ICP-MS - A critical review

Abstract

Analytical ecogeochemistry is an evolving scientific field dedicated to the development of analytical methods and tools and their application to ecological questions. Traditional stable isotopic systems have been widely explored and have undergone continuous development during the last century.The variations of the isotopic composition of light elements (H, O, N, C and S) have provided the foundation of stable isotope analysis followed by the analysis of traditional geochemical isotope tracers (e.g. Pb, Sr, Nd, Hf). Questions in a considerable diversity of scientific fields have been addressed, many of which can be assigned to the field of ecogeochemistry. Over the past fifteen years, other stable isotopes (e.g. Li, Zn, Cu, Cl) have emerged gradually as novel tools for the investigation of scientific topics that arise in ecosystem research and have enabled novel discoveries and explorations. These systems are often referred to as non-traditional isotopes.The small isotopic differences of interest that are increasingly being addressed for a growing number of isotopic systems represent a challenge to the analytical scientist and push the limits of today's instruments constantly. This underlines the importance of a metrologically sound concept of analytical protocols and procedures and a solid foundation of data processing strategies and uncertainty considerations before these small isotopic variations can be interpreted in the context of applied ecosystem research. This review focuses on the development of isotope research in ecogeochemistry, the requirements for successful detection of small isotopic shifts as well as highlights the most recent and innovative applications in the field. Keywordsanalytical ecogeochemistry, non-traditional stable isotopes, isotope tracers, MC ICP-MS, chemical metrology 2

Effects of cone combinations on accurate and precise Mg‐isotopic determination using multi‐collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

“…The modified high sensitivity sample and skimmer cones used in ICP‐MS have significantly improved the analytical sensitivity but also altered the instrumental mass discrimination behavior. Several studies have investigated the effects of different combinations of sample and skimmer cones on the extraction efficiency of plasma ions and mass discrimination behaviors using ICP‐MS and MC‐ICP‐MS . These studies indicated that the cone geometry that was expected to yield higher signal sensitivity in wet plasma mode (i.e.…”

“…10,30,34,35 The modified high sensitivity sample and skimmer cones used in ICP-MS have significantly improved the analytical sensitivity but also altered the instrumental mass discrimination behavior. Several studies have investigated the effects of different combinations of sample and skimmer cones on the extraction efficiency of plasma ions and mass discrimination behaviors using ICP-MS and MC-ICP-MS. [36][37][38][39] These studies indicated that the cone geometry that was expected to yield higher signal sensitivity in wet plasma mode (i.e. solution mode) [38][39][40][41] does not provide this for all elements by MC-ICP-MS. For example, a 30% decrease in signal intensity for Li and Mg isotopes and an increase in the signal intensity for Sr, Nd, Hf, Pb, and U isotopes were observed.…”

Influence of room temperature on magnesium isotope measurements by multi‐collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

“…Multi‐collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC‐ICP‐MS) has been widely used to measure metal stable isotopic compositions in recent decades (e.g …”

Recent developments and trends in the application of strontium and its isotopes in biological related fields

“…Review papers have been published in 2004 on the biological role of strontium [1] and in 2006 on the biogeochemistry of strontium [6]. From to 2005 to present several reviews including, but not exclusively, strontium isotopic analysis can be found in the literature, focused on different subjects, such as geochemistry, ecogeochemistry and archaeology [25][26][27] as well as analytical methodologies [28][29][30]. Food authentication presents itself as the application with most review papers on the subject of stable isotopic techniques.…”