Issue 6, 2019

Accurate and precise determination of Lu and Hf contents and Hf isotopic composition at the sub-nanogram level in geological samples using MC-ICP-MS

Abstract

We describe protocols for highly reproducible analysis of Lu and Hf contents and Hf isotopic composition at sub-nanogram levels in geological samples by MC-ICP-MS. Powdered samples were spiked with a 176Lu–180Hf enriched tracer and completely digested using conventional HF, HNO3 and HClO4 acid dissolution protocols. Fluoride salts were dissolved during a final H3BO3 digestion and chemical purification was performed using a single Eichrom Technologies Ln resin. All measurements were carried out on a Neptune Plus MC-ICP-MS employing an Aridus II desolvator. In order to demonstrate the robustness of the proposed protocol, six rock reference materials (RMs) were analysed, spanning various rock types with very low Lu and Hf contents (from nanogram to sub ng g−1 levels). The results are in good agreement within uncertainty with published values for the analysed RMs. Relative to other approaches and low-blank levels, this protocol has great potential for Lu–Hf analysis of low volume (100–500 mg) samples in geochemistry, cosmochemistry and environmental sciences (e.g., peridotite, garnet, meteorites, dust, etc.).

Graphical abstract: Accurate and precise determination of Lu and Hf contents and Hf isotopic composition at the sub-nanogram level in geological samples using MC-ICP-MS

Article information

Article type
Technical Note
Submitted
26 Jan 2019
Accepted
27 Feb 2019
First published
27 Feb 2019

J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2019,34, 1256-1262

Accurate and precise determination of Lu and Hf contents and Hf isotopic composition at the sub-nanogram level in geological samples using MC-ICP-MS

Q. Ma, M. Yang, H. Zhao, N. J. Evans, Z. Chu, L. Xie, C. Huang, Z. Zhao and Y. Yang, J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2019, 34, 1256 DOI: 10.1039/C9JA00034H

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements