Abstract
A method is described for the mass spectrometric isotope dilution analysis of rare earth elements in sea water. The REE are concentrated from sea water by coprecipitation with ferric hydroxide and separated from other elements and into groups for analysis by anion exchange using mixed solvents. Results for synthetic mixtures and standards show that the method is accurate and precise to ∿ ±1%; and blanks are low (e.g. 10−12moles La and 10−14 moles Eu). The method has been applied to the determination of nine REE in a variety of oceanographic samples. Results for N. Atlantic ocean water below the mixed layer are (in 10−12 mol kg−1) 13.0 La, 16.8 Ce, 12.8 Nd, 2.67 Sm, 0.644 Eu, 3.41 Gd, 4.78 Dy, 4.07 Er and 3.55 Yb, with an enrichment of REE in deep ocean water, by ’ 2 x for the light REE and ti 1.3 x for the heavy REE.
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