Methodical Studies for D/H-Isotope Analysis - a New Technique for the Direct Coupling of Sample Preparation to an Irms

Abstract
A new technique for the sample preparation and direct coupling to an Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer (IRMS) for the D/H-determination is described. 1 μl size samples of water are injected and reduced with chromium metal in a novel reaction furnace. The hydrogen gas flows directly into the IRMS and is analysed (standard/sample comparison). The reproducibility is about 1 %. The accuracy of the technique was proven by means of the IAEA-standard waters V-SMOW, GISP, SLAP.