Copper, Zinc and Lead Isotopic Delta Values and Isotope Ratios of Various Geological and Biological Reference Materials

Copper, Zn and Pb isotope ratios are important tracers for understanding geological and biological processes. We present optimised column separation methods using an anion exchange resin for Cu and Zn, and a Pb-specific resin for Pb, and provide Cu, Zn and Pb isotope data for thirty-three commercially available geological and biological reference materials (RMs) using MC-ICP-MS. Our measurement procedures can be applied to various environmental samples. The Cu, Zn and Pb yields were higher than 99.2%, and isotopic fractionation did not occur during column separation. Copper and Zn delta values of AGV-2, BCR-2, BIR-1a, BHVO-2, GSP-2, NOD-A-1, NOD-P-1, DOLT-4, BCR-414, BCR-279 and NIST SRM 1573a were in good agreement with previously reported values. The intermediate measurement precision for Cu and Zn delta values was better than +/- 0.02 parts per thousand (2s). The delta Cu-65(NIST976), delta Zn-66(JMC) and Pb-206/Pb-207 values determined in this study ranged from -0.19 to +0.73 parts per thousand, -0.96 to +1.00 parts per thousand and 1.1172 to 1.2263, respectively. The delta Zn-66(JMC) variability (Delta Zn-66(max-min)) in this study was relatively larger than that of delta Cu-65(NIST976) variability (Delta Cu-65(max-min)). A combination of Cu, Zn and Pb isotopes can be used as potential environmental tracers to track the origins of these elements in the environment as well as to understand their influence on organisms.

Automated summary

The study utilized MC-ICP-MS technology and optimized column separation methods to successfully measure Cu, Zn, and Pb isotope data in commercially available reference materials, showing high yields without isotopic fractionation, and good agreement with previous research.