• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.148-156
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• 2001

We report $^{230}Th/^{234}U$ disequilibrium ages of fracture-filling carbonate veins from the Ipsil and Janghangri fault zones, Gyeongju, Korea by multiple collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The U and Th fraction was extracted from totally dissolved samples by rapid and convenient coprecipitation and ion exchange chemistry. The recovery was around 80% for Th and 70% for U. The $^{234}U/^{238}U,\;^{230}Th/^{232}Th$ ratios were analysed for this preconcentrated fraction and the U/Th ratio was directly analysed for untreated sample solution. The $^{234}U-^{230}Th$ system is in secular equilibrium for the Ipsil carbonate samples, supporting previously reported ESR ages. The detrital-corrected $^{230}Th/^{234}U$ age of the Janghangri carbonate samples is $48\pm$41 ka, which constrains the minimum age of the fracture zone.

• Korean Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.507-520
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• 2022

The Sr isotope ratio, which is used as basic data for rock formation time, crustal and mantle evolution studies, is determined by mass spectrometer such as thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) or multi-detector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS). In this technical report, we compared how incomplete chemical separation of elements affects the determination of Sr isotope ratios. For the experiment, commercial resin, NBS987(NIST SRM987) Sr isotope standard, and rock standard samples from the Geological Survey of Japan (GSJ) such as JG1a, JB3 and JA1 were used. As a result of the comparative experiment, it was clearly observed that the measured values of ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr change when Rb remains due to incomplete separation of the NBS987 Sr isotope standard sample as well as the rock standard samples of GSJ. This indicates that complete separation is an important factor since the calculated value deviates from the true value even though correction for isotope interference by isobar is performed when measuring the isotope ratio with MC-ICP-MS. This also suggests that, when reporting the measurement result of Sr isotope ratio using MC-ICP-MS, the measurement strength of ⁸⁵Rb should be reported together with the measurement strength of all isotopes of Sr so that isotope interference by isobar can be judged.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.157-171
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• 2001

This study investigated the effects of Pb/Tl ratio, Pb concentration and concomitant matrix elements on the measurement of Pb isotope ratios using multi-collector ICP/MS (AXIOM MC model). Accuracy and reproducibility of Pb isotope ratios in NBS 981 solution were estimated for 42 data measured from March to August 2001. Pb isotopes measured in rocks, bronzes and sediments were compared to data measured by TIMS. Reproducibilities for $^{206}Pb/^{204}Pb,\; ^{207}Pb/^{204}Pb,\;and\;^{208}Pb/^{204}Pb$ ratio were about 500 ppm (2sd) and for $^{207}Pb/^{206}Pb$\;and\;^{208}Pb/^{206}Pb$ were 100~200 ppm for 200 ng of Pb in NBS 981 solution. The optimum conditions for the analysis of Pb isotope ratios with AXIOM MC for best accuracy and reproducibility were defined as follows; 1) Pb/Tl ratio is about 10 2) Pb concentration is about 100 ng/ml 3) correction for mass discrimination is performed by exponential law using 2.3887 of $^{205}Tl/^{203}Tl$ and Pb mass fractionation factor empirically obtained from $ln(^{208}Pb/^{206}Pb)-ln(^{205}Tl/^{203}Tl)$ relationship. The sample data measured with MC/ICP/MS for acid-digested and chemically separated rock samples, and acid-digested bronze samples and sediment samples coincide with those of TIMS within analytical errors. Therefore, MC/ICP/MS is a rapid analytical technique for Pb isotope ratios with the similar precision compared with TIMS.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.221-227
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• 2014

With the advent of multi collector-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, stable isotopic variations of non-traditional metal elements have provided important constraints on the sources of geologic materials. This review introduces the principles of magnesium isotopic fractionation and analytical methods. Recent case studies are also reviewed for the use of magnesium isotope signatures to decipher the source materials of I-, S-, and A-type granitoids in western North America, Australia, and China.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.89-95
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• 2016

Mo isotope, one of highly redox-sensitive isotopes, has been shown to be useful tracers of geochemical processes. Many studies for Mo isotope have documented with the help of recently developed analysis tools, but it has not yet been documented in the Korea. In this study, we introduce two-stage column separation method of Mo using column tube (BioRad PolyPrep(R) column, 10 ml) and anion exchange resin (BioRad Resin AG(R) 1-X8, 200-400 mesh). Mo isotope ratios in the solid SRMs (BHVO-2, SDO-1, PACS-2) and liquid SRM (IAPSO) were measured on MC-ICP-MS (Multi-collector Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer) and then compared with reference Mo isotope ratios. Mo isotope ratios in our study overlap with reference Mo isotope ratios within analytical error.

• Journal of Environmental Analysis, Health and Toxicology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.237-242
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• 2018

Strontium (Sr) commonly exists in rock, groundwater, soil, plants, and animals. The Sr isotope ratio offers important information as a tracer on nature because the Sr isotopic composition is not fractionated by any biological process in these ecosystems. Hence, Sr isotope ratio has been used in several studies on tracing the Sr source for contaminated sites and human migration. In this study, we developed a separation method for Sr content, and then improved Sr isotope analysis using multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS). A powdered rock standard (NIST 2710a) was used to determine the removal of interference elements (Rb and Ca) and the recovery rate of Sr content. The results ranged from 98% to 106%. Additionally, three standard samples (NBS 987, IAPSO and NIST 1486) were analyzed to evaluate the precision and accuracy of the results. The measured $^{87}Sr/^{86}Sr$ ratio for all the samples were consistent with the reported values, within an error. These results indicate that our established Sr separation and Sr isotope measurement methods are reliable and can hence be useful in the fields of environmental and forensic sciences.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.547-555
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• 2023

Due to enhanced precision in uranium isotope measurements with MC-ICP-MS, there has been a surge in studies concerning the naturally occurring uranium isotope ratio (²³⁸U/²³⁵U) and its associated fractionation processes. Several researchers have highlighted that the ²³⁸U/²³⁵U ratio, previously assumed to be constant, can vary by several per mil depending on different natural fractionation processes. This review paper outlines the uranium isotope values (δ²³⁸U) for major terrestrial reservoirs and their variations. It discusses the range of δ238U values and uranium isotope fractionation seen in uranium ore deposits, based on deposit type and ore-forming conditions. In conclusion, this paper emphasizes the importance of studies on uranium ore deposits. Such deposits serve as natural simulation models vital for designing high-level radioactive waste repository sites.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.221-227
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• 2016

Copper is an essential transition metal involving in various biogeochemical processes. With the recent advances in analytical techniques and mass spectrometry, such as MC-ICP-MS, it is possible to measure Cu isotopes, which allows us to understand various biogeochemical processes in detail. Nonetheless, few studies have been performed in South Korea. In this study, we compared two purification methods previously reported using an anion exchange resin ($AG^{(R)}$ MP-1M), developed the best method in our lab environment, and then verified it by measuring Cu isotopic compositions in two USGS geological reference materials (BHVO-2 and BIR-1a). Although all matrix cations causing mass bias were effectively removed through both two methods with the yield of better than 95%, the method using the mixture of HCl and $H_2O_2$ only displays Cu isotopic compositions, in excellent agreement with reported values within the error. The method developed in this study is expected to be commonly applied to earth and environmental sciences.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2021

Silicon (Si) is the second most abundant element in the crust and consists of three stable isotopes, 28Si (92.23%), 29Si (4.67%), and 30Si (3.10%). Si isotopes are widely studied worldwide as a proxy for the biogeochemical cycle of Si to reconstruct the paleoenvironment and paleoclimate. However, in Korea, there have been no studies on biogenic silica using Si isotopes. In this study, we carried out Si isotope measurements of giant diatoms, summarizing the previously reported alkali fusion methods and establishing the best Si separation method for biogenic silica. Samples were completely digested using alkali fusion at high temperatures, effectively separating Si using an AG® 50W-X8 cation exchange resin. To evaluate the precision and accuracy of our measurements, Si isotope standard material (NBS-28) and USGS reference materials (AGV-2, GSP-2, BHVO-2) were analyzed. The results are in excellent agreement with the reported values within the acceptable error. The Si isotope measurement method developed in this study is expected to help in understanding the paleoclimate and paleoenvironment by tracing the Si cycle.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.405-429
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• 2022

Detrital zircon LA-MC-ICP-MS U-Pb dating of the Cretaceous Gurye Group, Gurye Basin, was carried out. Gurye Group consists of Supyeongri, Geumjeongri, Togeum, and Obongsan formations in ascending order, and five samples were collected for age dating. Based on the dating results, the lowermost Supyeongri and the uppermost Obongsan formations show narrow age ranges. Only Precambrian and Late Cretaceous zircons were found in the Supyeongri and Obongsan formations, respectively. However, the upper and lower Geumjeongri, and Togeum formations show wide age ranges from the Precambrian to Cretaceous. The youngest detrital zircon U-Pb ages of each formation except the Supyeongri Formation, which lacks Cretaceous zircon, were calculated to be ca. 107.4 Ma in the lower Geumjeongri Formation, ca. 104.6 Ma in the upper Geumjeongri Formation, ca. 97.7 Ma in the Togeum Formation, and ca. 88.5 Ma in the Obongsan Formation. Such results indicate that the depositional age of the Gurye Group can be constrained from the Lower Cretaceous Albian to the Upper Cretaceous Coniacian. Based on the distribution of the detrital zircon ages from each formation, the source area of the Gurye Group is interpreted to have been extended from the adjacent Youngnam Massif to the Okcheon Belt throughout the basin evolution. The increase of the Cretaceous zircon with time is thought to reflect the slab roll-back of the proto-Pacific plate during the Cretaceous.