High-precision molybdenum isotope analysis of low-Mo igneous rock samples by MC–ICP–MS

Recent advances in analytical techniques have achieved high-precision (2σ ≤ 0.06‰) determinations of Mo isotopic ratios in silicate rocks but few such data are as yet available, especially for low-Mo (<50 ppb) rocks such as leucogranites . Here we present two low-blank, double-spike, high-yield, ion-exchange chromatographic methods (single- and two-column) for precise determination of Mo isotopic ratios in low-Mo rock samples (10–500 ppb) using multicollector–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (MC–ICP–MS). The two-column technique involved AG 1-X8 anion-exchange (100–200 mesh) and BPHA chelatin resins, with the latter also used in the single-column procedure. Two USGS reference materials (basalt BIR-1a and diabase W-2a) were analyzed for quality-control purposes. Their δ 98/95 Mo values determined using the two methods are consistent within uncertainties, and with those determined by previously published methods. We provide the first Mo isotopic data for the reference materials of dunite DTS-2b (USGS), GPt-3 (NRCG) and peridotite WPR-1 (CCRMP). δ 98/95 Mo values for DTS-2b and WPR-1 by using two-column procedure are in good agreement with those obtained by single-column separation. Repeated analyses of these standards indicate a long-term external reproducibility of better than ±0.05‰. However, the δ 98/95 Mo values of GPt-3 show poor reproducibility due to either the sample heterogeneity or existing undigested minerals (e.g., spinel). The methods were applied to leucogranites with low Mo contents of 10–74 ppb from the Himalaya orogen and southern Lhasa terrane of Tibet . The isotopic analyses yielded δ 98/95 Mo values of −0.2‰ to 0.34‰ and −0.41‰ to −0.68‰ (against NIST SRM 3134), respectively, within the range of values for igneous crust. Their contrasting Mo isotopic compositions may indicate compositional diversity in their sources or differences in magma evolution .