SEDL / STP / STP1344-EB / STP15723S

High Precisin and High Accuracy Isotopic Measurement of Uranium Using Lead and Thorium Calibration Solutions by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Multiple Collector-Mass Spectrometry

Bowen, I
Product manager MC-ICP-MS and Technical director, VG Elemental, Ion Path, Winsford, Cheshire

Walder, AJ
Product manager MC-ICP-MS and Technical director, VG Elemental, Ion Path, Winsford, Cheshire

Hodgson, T
Technical specialist, URENCO (Capenhurst) Ltd, Mass Spectrometry Lab., Capenhurst, Chester

Parrish, RR
Professor, University of Leicester and NERC Isotope Geosciences Laboratory, British Geological Survey, Notts,

Pages: 10    Published: Jan 1998

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Abstract

A novel method for the high accuracy and high precision measurement of uranium isotopic composition by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Multiple Collector-Mass Spectrometry is discussed. Uranium isotopic samples are spiked with either thorium or lead for use as internal calibration reference materials. This method eliminates the necessity to periodically measure uranium standards to correct for changing mass bias when samples are measured over long time periods. This technique has generated among the highest levels of analytical precision on both the major and minor isotopes of uranium. Sample throughput has also been demonstrated to exceed Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry by a factor of four to five.