Handbook of Stable Isotope Analytical Techniques
The aim of this book is to produce a handbook, including a review, as complete as reasonably possible, of analytical techniques for a large range of stable isotopes (element 1 [H] to element 35 [Br], excluding noble gases and those elements which only have one stable isotope), thus creating a handbook where laboratory workers can look up stable isotope techniques easily, without needing to dig into literature, which not always is obtainable without problem. This also might cause more standardization in analytical techniques and therefore more “similar” data for exchange between laboratories. Another aim is to present modern developments in, and subjective review of specific techniques, mostly in the parts 1 and 2 (Volume-I).
At the start, the aim of this book was to concentrate on stable isotope analytical methods of pure geochemical interest, but very soon it became clear it was not easy to draw a line between purely geochemical methods with geological applications and methods used in other fields of science. Considering the interest isotope chemists working in other disciplines could have in a handbook on analytical techniques made me decide to extent the aims of this book, and to include a wide range of other disciplines, where stable isotope analyses is used for different purposes. Disciplines of interest, besides geochemistry, are: anthropology, archeaology, agricultural science, atmospheric science, biology, bio(geo)chemistry, climatology, ecology, environmentology, food science, forensic science, hydrology, marine science, medical science, meteoritic science, paleontology, and planetary science.
The range of elements chosen is purely arbitrary. The lower limit of hydrogen isotopes is obvious. Since new methods have actually been developed for Br isotope analysis, in analogy with Cl isotope methods, I decided the element of Br to be the upper limit for this book. This also considerably extended the range of basic techniques. For instance, stable isotope analysis of elements such as Li, B, Mg, Si, K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga and Ge concentrate more on techniques such as solid source mass spectrometry, plasma methods, nuclear activation methods and a number of other methods, rather then gas source mass spectrometry as is commonly used, or optical spectrometry which is less commonly used for the elements: H, C, N, O, S, Cl, Se, and Br.
Other tools for isotope measurement, most of them crossing this clasical boundary between “solid source MS-gas source MS” as mentioned above, such as for example the secondary ionization mass spectrometer (SIMS). Far less common techniques, such as multiple collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS), glow discharge mass spectrometry (GDMS), accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS), tunable diode laser spectrometry (TDLAS), Fast-atom bombardment mass spectrometry (FAB-MS), are developed of which some are commonly used, while others are at different stages of development, or re-discovered as useful. An exception might be activation techniques, which can be considered 'classical', but are mostly used for quantitative purpose rather then for stable isotope analytical purpose, although stable isotopes generally are used in this technique. NMR techniques are used for site specific rather than compound specific isotopic ratio measurements.
The first book volume is a multi-author work in two parts: Part 1 on analytical methods, including subjective reviews, specialized and novel methods, and specific tools/machines.
Part 2 on development of mass spectrometers, ion sources, standards and calibration, oxygen corrections for SO2 in mass spectrometry and experimental methods to obtain isotopic fractionation factors (part 2 also contains appendices with general information).
Volume two, Part 3, will be written by myself, with some contributions by others, in form of an objective review on existing analytical methods, based on published literature, reports, personal communication and own experience, and consisting of diagrams of systems with condensed descriptions of preparation methods and analytical procedures, and include directly related important matters (e.g. chemicals, temperatures of processes, grains sizes, laser types and qualities, preparation of reagents, catalysers etc. etc.).
Compilations of references will be given in single lists in the end of each book volume.
Elsevier will publish the book (hardbound version) in two volumes, with the title: “Handbook of Stable Isotope Analytical Techniques”.
Volume-I is completed and is actually in print. To order, please, use the link to an order form (pdf format) on this site.
Volume-II is still under review and revision and will be published later. Expected is that completion will still take several months.