Simultaneous lead isotope ratio and gold-lead-bismuth concentration analysis of silver by laser ablation MC-ICP-MS

A new approach is presented for the simultaneous analysis of lead isotope ratios and gold, lead, bismuth concentrations in metallic silver using nanosecond laser ablation multi-collector inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-MC-ICP-MS). Corrections both concentration analyses are performed an in-house matrix matched reference material RM3834. Accuracy external reproducibility demonstrated by repeat a further seven materials all characterised solution (MC)-ICP-MS approaches. Typical internal precisions, expressed as two relative standard errors (S.E.) mean cycles comprising one analysis, <0.5% 206Pb/204Pb, 207Pb/204Pb 208Pb/204Pb, <0.03% 207Pb/206Pb 208Pb/206Pb. External reproducibilities, based on over 10 month period deviations (S.D.) mean, <0.4% 208Pb/204Pb <0.2% Internal precisions reproducibilities typically <25%. Data consistent with solution-based Methods through set Islamic dirhams from mint al-Muhammadiyya, highlighting their applicability to geochemical studies archaeological artefacts.