Isotope ratio measurements in biological tissues using LA-ICP-MS – possibilities, limitations, and perspectives

Abstract

This article describes the advantages and possibilities of using LA-ICP-MS for isotope ratio measurements, briefly comparing quadrupole, sector-field and multi-collector systems. It also discusses problems and limitations of the respective set-ups. A special focus lies on biological samples from stable isotope tracer experiments and on spatially resolved isotope ratio measurements including imaging of isotope ratios. The article explores if there are valid reasons why until now almost no one used LA-ICP-MS to image isotope ratios. It wants to encourage the ICP-MS community to realise the potential of using LA-ICP-MS for isotope ratio measurements in biological samples and to hopefully spur further developments and applications.