The Development of an Analytical Technique to Measure Stable and Radiogenic Strontium Isotope Ratios Using Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry with the Double Spike Method

An analytical method using a strontium “double spike” enriched in both 84Sr and 87Sr was developed to measure the n(87Sr)/n(86Sr) and n(88Sr)/n(86Sr) isotope ratios using a thermal ionization mass spectrometer. The results obtained for the SRM987 reference material using this technique are in agreement with published data. However, the results of IAPSO sea water standard revealed an enrichment in the n(88Sr)/n(86Sr) isotope ratio relative to SRM987 of 0.04 % and n(87Sr)/n(86Sr) isotope ratio of 0.709325(27), which is significantly different from the n(87Sr)/n(86Sr) ratio of 0.709191(37), which is found when one assumes a fixed n(88Sr)/n(86Sr) isotope ratio, as has been done in the past. The use of a double spike method for measuring strontium isotopic composition reveals important insights into mass dependent processes that occur as this element moves through a system as well as provide accurate radiogenic strontium isotope amount ratios.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MSc)

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Physics and Astronomy

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Graduate Studies

Year dc:date.issued

2014

Author dc:creator

• Elhamel, Nadia

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Wieser, Michael

• Physics

Statement dc:rights

• University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.

Language dc:language.iso

eng

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/28054

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:ucalgary.scholaris.ca:11023/1553