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Bromine isotope ratio measurements in seawater by multi-collector inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry with a conventional sample introduction system

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Abstract

A simple and accurate methodology for Br isotope ratio measurements in seawater by multi-collector inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS) with pneumatic nebulization for sample introduction was developed. The Br+ signals could be measured interference-free at high mass resolution. Memory effects for Br were counteracted using 5 mmol L−1 of NH4OH in sample, standard, and wash solutions. The major cation load of seawater was removed via cation exchange chromatography using Dowex 50WX8 resin. Subsequent Br preconcentration was accomplished via evaporation of the sample solution at 90 °C, which did not induce Br losses or isotope fractionation. Mass discrimination was corrected for by external correction using a Cl-matched standard measured in a sample-standard bracketing approach, although Sr, Ge, and Se were also tested as potential internal standards for internal correction for mass discrimination. The δ81Br (versus standard mean ocean bromide (SMOB)) values thus obtained for the NaBr isotopic reference material NIST SRM 977 and for IRMM BCR-403 seawater certified reference material are in agreement with literature values. For NIST SRM 977, the 81Br/79Br ratio (0.97291) was determined with a precision ≤0.08‰ relative standard deviation (RSD).

A simple and accurate methodology for Br isotope ratio measurement in seawater by multi-collector inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry was developed. The cation load of seawater was removed using cation exchange chromatography. Spectral interference was avoided using high mass resolution

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Acknowledgments

CNPq (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Brazil) provided a doctorate scholarship to J.S.G. and a research scholarship to D.L.G.B. A.S. was supported by a Short-Term Scientific Mission (STSM) granted by the EU COST Action ES0907 INTIMATE.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Santa Catarina, P.O. Box 476, 88040-970, Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil

    Jefferson S. de Gois & Daniel L. G. Borges

  2. Department of Analytical Chemistry, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281-S12, 9000, Ghent, Belgium

    Jefferson S. de Gois, Veerle Devulder & Frank Vanhaecke

  3. Centre for Ice and Climate, Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Juliane Maries Vej 30, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Paul Vallelonga

  4. Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics (DAIS), Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Dorsoduro 2137, 30123, Venice, Italy

    Andrea Spolaor

  5. INCT de Energia & Ambiente, 88040-900, Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil

    Daniel L. G. Borges

Authors
  1. Jefferson S. de Gois
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  2. Paul Vallelonga
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  3. Andrea Spolaor
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  4. Veerle Devulder
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  5. Daniel L. G. Borges
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  6. Frank Vanhaecke
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Frank Vanhaecke.

Additional information

Published in the topical collection Applications of Isotopes in Analytical Ecogeochemistry with guest editors Thomas Prohaska, Andreas Zitek, and Johanna Irrgeher.

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de Gois, J.S., Vallelonga, P., Spolaor, A. et al. Bromine isotope ratio measurements in seawater by multi-collector inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry with a conventional sample introduction system. Anal Bioanal Chem 408, 409–416 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-015-8820-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-015-8820-1

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