A high‐throughput system for boron microsublimation and isotope analysis by total evaporation thermal ionization mass spectrometry. (27th June 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liu, Yi‐Wei; Aciego, Sarah M.; Wanamaker, Alan D.; Sell, Bryan K.
• Is Part Of: Rapid communications in mass spectrometry. Volume 27:Number 15(2013)
• Page Start: 1705
• Page End: 1714
• Publication Date: 2013-06-27
• Subjects: Mass spectrometry -- Periodicals; 543.65
• DOI: 10.1002/rcm.6619
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0951-4198

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="rcm6619-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>RATIONALE</title> <p>Research on the ocean carbon cycle is vitally important due to the projected impacts of atmospheric CO<sub>2</sub> on global temperatures and climate change, but also on ocean chemistry. The direct influence of this CO<sub>2</sub> rise on the seawater pH can be evaluated from the boron isotopic composition in biogenic carbonates; however, conscientious laboratory techniques and data treatment are vital in obtaining accurate and precise results. A rapid‐throughput boron purification and Total Evaporation Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry method was developed for high accuracy and precision boron isotopic analysis for small (ng) sample sizes.</p> </sec> <sec id="rcm6619-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>METHODS</title> <p>An improved microsublimation method, in which up to 20 samples can be processed simultaneously under identical temperature conditions, was developed. Several tests have confirmed the viability of this technique. First, seawater and <italic>Porites</italic> coral samples were processed with H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> and the results compared with those obtained using microsublimation; second, the impact of various sublimation times was evaluated; and third, quantitative recovery was assessed using standard addition.</p> </sec> <sec id="rcm6619-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>RESULTS</title> <p>Microsublimation provides a valid method for the quantitative recovery and separation of boron from both major elements and organic matter under low‐blank conditions. The close agreement of our results with published values validates the accuracy of the measurements. The isotopic ratio for SRM 951a boric acid isotopic standard was 4.0328 ± 0.0054 (2 STD, n = 25). The reproducibility of boron isotopic composition for standards including AE121, IAEA B‐1 and an in‐house coral standard UM‐CP1 was ±0.68‰ (2 STD, n = 15), ±1.12‰ (2 STD, n = 24), and ±1.17‰ (2 STD, n = 14), respectively. The sample sizes were <1 ng for each measurement.</p> </sec> <sec id="rcm6619-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>CONCLUSIONS</title> <p>The developed method for preparing and measuring boron isotopic values in a variety of carbonate materials should facilitate the reconstruction of past ocean pH conditions with decadal‐scale resolution. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.</p> </sec> </abstract>