Referencing strategies and techniques in stable isotope ratio analysis
Abstract
Stable isotope ratios are reported in the literature in terms of a deviation from an international standard (delta-values). The referencing procedures, however, differ from instrument to instrument and are not consistent between measurement facilities. This paper reviews an attempt to unify the strategy for referencing isotopic measurements. In particular, emphasis is given to the importance of identical treatment of sample and reference material ('IT principle'), which should guide all isotope ratio determinations and evaluations. The implementation of the principle in our laboratory, the monitoring of our measurement quality, the status of the international scales and reference materials and necessary correction procedures are discussed.
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Using carbonates for normalization instead of or in addition to gases can circumvent issues with gas-based standardization, consistent with the principle of identical treatment of sample and standards.
“We propose that these issues can be circumvented if carbonates, which undergo the same acid digestion as the samples, are used for normalization instead of or in addition to gases, consistent with the principle of identical treatment of sample and standards (Carter & Fry, 2013; Werner & Brand, 2001).”
From InterCarb: A Community Effort to Improve Interlaboratory Standardization of the Carbonate Clumped Isotope Thermometer Using Carbonate Standards (2021) · cites this paper as Werner & Brand, 2001
Following the principle of identical treatment of samples and standards clearly reduces uncertainties compared to the use of HG/EG standardization.
“Thus, following the principle of identical treatment of samples and standards (Werner & Brand, 2001) clearly reduces uncertainties compared to the use of HG/EG standardization.”
From InterCarb: A Community Effort to Improve Interlaboratory Standardization of the Carbonate Clumped Isotope Thermometer Using Carbonate Standards (2021) · cites this paper as Werner & Brand, 2001
Using working standards of known isotopic composition and similar chemical composition as the basis for corrections, and analyzing them in batches together with unknowns, automatically removes differential working-standard-versus-unknown-sample biases (the IT principle).
“Because we use working standards of known isotopic composition and similar chemical composition as the basis for these corrections, and because these working standards are analyzed in batches together with the unknowns, differential (working standard versus unknown sample) biases are automatically removed, an approach known as the principle of Identical Treatment (IT principle) [Werner and Brand,”
From Correction algorithm for online continuous flow <i>δ</i> <sup>13</sup> C and <i>δ</i> <sup>18</sup> O carbonate and cellulose stable isotope analyses (2016) · cites this paper as Werner and Brand, 2001
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References 40 · Cited by 1,033
- Authors
- Werner, R. A., & Brand, W. A.
- Affiliations
- Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry (DE)
- Max Planck Society (DE)
- Corresponding author
- Brand, Willi A.
- Venue
- Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2001-03-20
- Volume
- 15
- Issue
- 7
- Pages
- 501-519
- ISSN
- 0951-4198 (ISSN-L)
- 1097-0231
- OpenAlex
- W2113196982
- Cited by
- 1,033
- References
- 40
- Citations by year
- 2026: 51 · 2025: 39 · 2024: 56 · 2023: 65 · 2022: 79 · 2021: 49 · 2020: 62 · 2019: 44 · 2018: 42 · 2017: 61 · 2016: 43 · 2015: 48 · 2014: 46 · 2013: 48 · 2012: 54
- FWCI
- 3.27
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- MPG.PuRe (Max Planck Society) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Statistics, Probability and Uncertainty › Scientific Measurement and Uncertainty Evaluation
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Isotope Analysis in Ecology
- Physical Sciences › Chemistry › Spectroscopy › Mass Spectrometry Techniques and Applications
- Keywords
- stable isotope ratio analysis, referencing, delta values, international reference standards, measurement quality control, reference materials, correction procedure
- MeSH terms
- Air, Carbon Dioxide, Carbon Isotopes, Hydrogen, Isotope Labeling, Isotopes, Nitrogen Isotopes, Oxygen Isotopes, Reference Standards, Reference Values, Mass Spectrometry, Sulfur Isotopes, Water, Clinical Laboratory Techniques
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