A SIMPLE AND INEXPENSIVE METHOD OF HYDROGEN ISOTOPE AND WATER ANALYSES OF MINERALS AND ROCKS BASED ON ZINC REAGENT

A new method based on Zn reagent for the quantitative conversion H2O to H-2 for the hydrogen isotope analysis of hydrous minerals and whole rocks has been developed. Analyses by this method are of comparable accuracy and precision (approximately 1 parts per thousand; less-than-or-equal-to 0.1 wt% error for determination of H2O) to those of conventional extraction methods based on uranium reagent and is significantly simpler, faster and less expensive.