Ion microprobe measurement of strontium isotopes in calcium carbonate with application to salmon otoliths

Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta
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Abstract

The ion microprobe has the capability to generate high resolution, high precision isotopic measurements, but analysis of the isotopic composition of strontium, as measured by the 87Sr/86Sr ratio, has been hindered by isobaric interferences. Here we report the first high precision measurements of 87Sr/86Sr by ion microprobe in calcium carbonate samples with moderate Sr concentrations. We use the high mass resolving power (7000 to 9000 M.R.P.) of the SHRIMP-RG ion microprobe in combination with its high transmission to reduce the number of interfering species while maintaining sufficiently high count rates for precise isotopic measurements. The isobaric interferences are characterized by peak modeling and repeated analyses of standards. We demonstrate that by sample-standard bracketing, 87Sr/86Sr ratios can be measured in inorganic and biogenic carbonates with Sr concentrations between 400 and 1500 ppm with ∼2‰ external precision (2σ) for a single analysis, and subpermil external precision with repeated analyses. Explicit correction for isobaric interferences (peak-stripping) is found to be less accurate and precise than sample-standard bracketing. Spatial resolution is ∼25 μm laterally and 2 μm deep for a single analysis, consuming on the order of 2 ng of material. The method is tested on otoliths from salmon to demonstrate its accuracy and utility. In these growth-banded aragonitic structures, one-week temporal resolution can be achieved. The analytical method should be applicable to other calcium carbonate samples with similar Sr concentrations.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Ion microprobe measurement of strontium isotopes in calcium carbonate with application to salmon otoliths
Series title Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta
DOI 10.1016/j.gca.2004.05.051
Volume 69
Issue 5
Year Published 2005
Language English
Contributing office(s) Volcano Science Center
Description 15 p.
Larger Work Type Article
Larger Work Subtype Journal Article
Larger Work Title Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta
First page 1225
Last page 1239
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