Recent advances in the analysis of non-traditional stable isotopes by multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

• Published in: Journal of analytical atomic spectrometry Vol. 32; no. 1; pp. 1848 - 1861
• Main Authors: Lu, Dawei, Zhang, Tuoya, Yang, Xuezhi, Su, Peng, Liu, Qian, Jiang, Guibin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.10.2017
• ISSN: 0267-9477; 1364-5544
• DOI: 10.1039/c7ja00260b

Non-traditional stable isotopes, with no clear definition yet, generally refer to isotopes beyond C, H, O, N, and S with small variations in natural stable isotopic compositions, such as isotopes of transition and heavy metal elements. With the rapid development in the multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS) technique, non-traditional stable isotopes have emerged as powerful tracers in geosciences, archaeology, anthropology, and environmental sciences. This article summarizes the recent advances in the analysis of non-traditional stable isotopes by MC-ICP-MS. We review recent efforts on improvement of the sensitivity of MC-ICP-MS and optimization of the sample preparation procedures. Special attention is paid to the "emerging" stable isotopes, e.g. , vanadium (V), barium (Ba), potassium (K), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), silver (Ag), cerium (Ce), erbium (Er), and silicon (Si). We also introduce some novel aspects of the application of non-traditional stable isotopes, e.g. , in nanotechnology and environmental health studies. Finally, we discuss current challenges and give our perspectives in this active research area. Non-traditional stable isotopes, with no clear definition yet, generally refer to isotopes beyond C, H, O, N, and S with small variations in natural stable isotopic compositions, such as isotopes of transition and heavy metal elements.