Wieser, MichaelElhamel, Nadia2014-05-262014-11-172014-05-262014http://hdl.handle.net/11023/1553An analytical method using a strontium “double spike” enriched in both 84Sr and 87Sr was developed to measure the n(87Sr)/n(86Sr) and n(88Sr)/n(86Sr) isotope ratios using a thermal ionization mass spectrometer. The results obtained for the SRM987 reference material using this technique are in agreement with published data. However, the results of IAPSO sea water standard revealed an enrichment in the n(88Sr)/n(86Sr) isotope ratio relative to SRM987 of 0.04 % and n(87Sr)/n(86Sr) isotope ratio of 0.709325(27), which is significantly different from the n(87Sr)/n(86Sr) ratio of 0.709191(37), which is found when one assumes a fixed n(88Sr)/n(86Sr) isotope ratio, as has been done in the past. The use of a double spike method for measuring strontium isotopic composition reveals important insights into mass dependent processes that occur as this element moves through a system as well as provide accurate radiogenic strontium isotope amount ratios.engUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.PhysicsStrontiumDouble SpikeThermal Ionization Mass Spectrometrymaster thesis10.11575/PRISM/28054