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G-Cubed: Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems

 

Keywords

  • seawater
  • boron isotopes
  • magnesium isotopes
  • MC-ICPMS

Index Terms

  • Geochemistry: Instruments and techniques
  • Oceanography: Biological and Chemical: Geochemistry
  • Oceanography: Biological and Chemical: Stable isotopes
Abstract
Cited By (7)
 

Abstract

GEOCHEMISTRY GEOPHYSICS GEOSYSTEMS, VOL. 11, Q08015, 10 PP., 2010
doi:10.1029/2010GC003201

Boron and magnesium isotopic composition of seawater

G. L. Foster

Bristol Isotope Group, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, Wills Memorial Building, Queens Road, Bristol BS8 1RJ, UK

P. A. E. Pogge von Strandmann

Bristol Isotope Group, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, Wills Memorial Building, Queens Road, Bristol BS8 1RJ, UK

J. W. B. Rae

Bristol Isotope Group, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, Wills Memorial Building, Queens Road, Bristol BS8 1RJ, UK

The isotopic systems of boron and magnesium are increasingly being used as proxies for a number of environmental variables and processes. The isotopic composition of seawater for both systems plays a central role in these studies and is an important interlaboratory standard. Given the long residence times of both elements (∼107 years) it is commonly assumed that seawater is isotopically homogenous for these systems, yet no systematic studies currently exist. Here we present the B and Mg isotopic composition of 26–28 seawater samples from a number of ocean basins that encompass a significant range in salinity (32 to 38 psu), temperature (−0.3 to +25.9°C) and water depth (0 to 1240 m). We find no significant or systematic variation for either system in accordance with their long residence times. We recommend that the mean values we report (δ11B = 39.61 ± 0.04 ‰ (2 s.e.; n = 28), δ25Mg = −0.43 ± 0.01 ‰ (2 s.e.; n = 26), δ26Mg = −0.82 ± 0.01 ‰ (2 s.e.; n = 26)) be used in future studies involving Mg and B isotopes.

Received 30 April 2010; accepted 23 June 2010; published 18 August 2010.

Citation: Foster, G. L., P. A. E. Pogge von Strandmann, and J. W. B. Rae (2010), Boron and magnesium isotopic composition of seawater, Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst., 11, Q08015, doi:10.1029/2010GC003201.

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