Mass Spectrometric Studies of K39/K41 & Li7/Li6 abundance variations in synthetic and natural samples

Abstract

This thesis embodies a systematic investigation on the abundance variation of and Li^6/Li^7 ratios in synthetic and natural samples by mass spectrometric technique. The measurements of ratios were carried out with a 10", 90° Nier type single focusing mass spectrometer whereas Li^6/Li^7 ratios were measured by a similar type 2", 60° mass spectrometer. Both the mass spectrometers are fitted with double collector and digital measuring facility, fabricated in the laboratory. A thermal ionisation source was used for these measurements. The present investigation attempts mainly to understand the behaviour of K-isotopes under various physico-chemical processes. The isotopic ratio of an element is invariant in nature unless some physical and/or chemical processes affect it. There is at present, a scarcity of information in literature which attempts to understand the systematics of K-isotope variation. In view of this, certain laboratory experiments were designed and carried out to fractionate K-isotopes and to understand the behaviour of these isotopes under specific conditions with a view to simulate certain natural environments. The artificial techniques used were: (a) Counter current electromigration (b) Thermogravitational liquid diffusion (c) Zone melting (d) Ion exchange