Definition
Zinc has five naturally occurring stable isotopes (64Zn, 66Zn, 67Zn, 68Zn, and 70Zn) with natural abundances of 48.6%, 27.9%, 4.1%, 18.8%, 0.6%, respectively. Because 64Zn and 66Zn are the most abundant, variations to the ratio of 66Zn/64Zn are typically reported, expressed in the conventional delta notation (δ66Zn) relative to the JMC-Lyon (close to exhaustion) and AA-ETH (latest) Zn standards.
Zinc isotopes are routinely measured by multicollector inductively coupled plasma source mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS). Measurements by the thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) are also possible but difficult due to the element’s high first ionization potential, leading to a low Saha constant. Common column protocols for Zn purification can easily achieve sufficient recovery rate, but the degree of purification should be high for Zn as many elements can generate an interference on Zn isotopic measurements. Mass bias during Zn isotopic measurement can be corrected using...
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Isson, T.T., Zhao, M., Planavsky, N.J. (2020). Zinc Isotopes. In: Gargaud, M., et al. Encyclopedia of Astrobiology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27833-4_5423-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27833-4_5423-1
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