Sample preparation and chromatographic separation for Sr, Nd, and Pb isotope analysis in geological, environmental, and archaeological samples

Abstract

In countless modern geochemical studies, diverse biological and geologic samples are analyzed for Sr, Nd, and Pb isotopic composition. Such heterogeneity presents challenges for a “one-size-fits-all” approach to sample preparation, necessitating customization of sample preparation and chromatographic separation methods. We present (1) digestion techniques for low-Nd silicates, carbonatites, carbonates, water, plant and wood material, organic soils, aerosols collec-ted via filtration, as well as archaeological samples (alloys, teeth, and bones) (2) a column chromatographic approach for samples with low concentrations (large amounts of a matrix) and (3) method verification via replicate analyses of a wide variety of isotopic standards.