Worldwide proficiency test for routine analysis of d2H and d18O in water by isotope-ratio mass spectrometry and laser absorption spectroscopy


Creative Commons License

Wassenaar L. I., Ahmad M., Aggarwal P., Van Duren M., Poeltenstein L., Araguas L., ...More

RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY, vol.26, no.15, pp.1641-1648, 2012 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 26 Issue: 15
  • Publication Date: 2012
  • Doi Number: 10.1002/rcm.6270
  • Journal Name: RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.1641-1648
  • Hacettepe University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

RATIONALE The interpretation of stable hydrogen and oxygen isotope data in isotope hydrology relies on accurate, high-precision analytical measurements of the 2H:1H and 18O:16O ratios in liquid H2O samples. METHODS A synthesis of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) worldwide proficiency test for analytical laboratories conducting routine analysis of d2H and d18O values in water (WICO2011) by isotope-ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) and laser absorption spectroscopy (LAS) technology has been carried out. RESULTS This test revealed that >96% of the 160 laboratory submissions provided acceptable results within +/- 2 parts per thousand for d2H values and +/- 0.2 parts per thousand for d18O values of the established reference values for four test waters, and no difference in outcomes based on IRMS vs. LAS technology was found for good performing laboratories. CONCLUSIONS The leading cause of outliers appeared to be improper calibration or compromised storage of laboratory standard and primary reference waters; hence the importance of judicious storage of lab standards cannot be understated. The deprecated practice of single standard normalization was identified as a problem for some laboratories. We further recommend that laboratories strive to report parsimonious long-term precisions based upon control standards, and to improve quantification and correction for LAS instrumental drift and inter-sample carryover effects. Copyright (C) 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.