Extraction and Analysis of Available Boron Isotopes in Soil Using Multicollector Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

As a result of the important roles of boron (B) in the growth of plants, the uptake of B by plants is dependent upon the existing form and content of available B in soil, which can bring about the local cycle of B isotope equilibrium. A method using water-heating extraction combined with three-step ion-exchange chromatography was developed for the extraction and isotopic analysis of available B in soil. The extraction efficiency and fractionation of B isotopic composition in the procedure were investigated. The results showed that, in the upper layers of soils, the change of δ¹¹B values was opposite that of the mass concentration and a similar variation between δ¹¹B and content occurred in the lower layers. The isotope of available B in soil can create a featured isotopic signature to further understand the geochemical details related to the soil properties and molecular mechanism of B uptake in plants.