Mass spectrometry of stable isotopes of oxygen, carbon and hydrogen for hydrology and geochemistry

A double collector mass spectrometer for stable isotope analysis of carbon dioxide and hydrogen is described in the first part of this report. Two measurement techniques and data treatment methods are discussed. These are the single bridge and the infinite bridge systems. The second part of the report contains a description of the methods and sample preparation system used in the Mass Spectrometry Laboratory of the Institute of Nuclear Physics and Techniques. The isotopic equilibrium method for determining the delta18O, the method of water reduction on uranium for delta D and CO2 extraction from organic and inorganic materials for delta13C are used. Analysis of the measurements of the IAEA and NBS standards shows a good correlation with the results obtained by 25 well established laboratories. The obtained reproducibility agrees with values generally quoted. The standard deviation of single determination of delta18O and delta13C is +-0.1% o whereas for delta D is +-1.3% o. (author)