Initial measurement of beryllium-9 using high-resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry allows for more precise applications of the beryllium isotope system within the Earth Sciences.

Initial results suggest that the use of HR-ICP-MS improves the precision of 9 Be analysis for a range of geological reference materials. A high precision is maintained despite reducing the sample size or strength of leaching solution. This has implications for the use of the Be isotope system within the Earth Sciences by reducing the propagated uncertainty of 10 Be/9 Be ratios or the mass of sample or 9 Be aliquot used.