Modern mass spectrometry for studying mass-independent fractionation of heavy stable isotopes in environmental and biological sciences

Abstract

This is the first review to focus specifically on the application of modern mass spectrometry techniques for studying mass-independent or anomalous isotope fractionation for ‘heavy’ elements. This review covers a period of ten years, starting from 2000. In the first part of the manuscript, we address theoretical aspects of mass-independent isotope fractionation, such as nuclear volume and nuclear spin effects. Secondly, most published articles on this topic to date are reviewed. Mass-independent isotope fractionation was determined by ICP-MS, MC-ICP-MS or TIMS for nineteen elements so far: Hg, Sn, Cd, Zn, Te, Sr, Pb, Cr, U, Ti, Ni, Mo, Ru, Ba, Nd, Sm, Gd, Yb and Hf, as reported in about fifty publications. In addition, mass-independent fractionation was observed for some other elements, silicon, germanium and sulfur, by other techniques.