Articles | Volume 2, issue 2
https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-2-283-2020
© Author(s) 2020. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-2-283-2020
© Author(s) 2020. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| Highlight paper
| 
22 Oct 2020
Research article | Highlight paper |
| 22 Oct 2020
| 22 Oct 2020
Resolving multiple geological events using in situ Rb–Sr geochronology: implications for metallogenesis at Tropicana, Western Australia
Hugo K. H. Olierook
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Curtin University, GPO Box
U1987, Perth, WA 6845, Australia
Timescales of Mineral Systems, Centre for Exploration Targeting – Curtin Node, Curtin University,
GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA 6845, Australia
John de Laeter Centre, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA
6845, Australia
Kai Rankenburg
School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Curtin University, GPO Box
U1987, Perth, WA 6845, Australia
John de Laeter Centre, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA
6845, Australia
Stanislav Ulrich
AngloGold Ashanti Australia Ltd., 140 St. Georges Terrace, Perth, WA
6000, Australia
Christopher L. Kirkland
School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Curtin University, GPO Box
U1987, Perth, WA 6845, Australia
Timescales of Mineral Systems, Centre for Exploration Targeting – Curtin Node, Curtin University,
GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA 6845, Australia
Noreen J. Evans
School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Curtin University, GPO Box
U1987, Perth, WA 6845, Australia
John de Laeter Centre, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA
6845, Australia
Stephen Brown
AngloGold Ashanti Australia Ltd., 140 St. Georges Terrace, Perth, WA
6000, Australia
Brent I. A. McInnes
John de Laeter Centre, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA
6845, Australia
Alexander Prent
School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Curtin University, GPO Box
U1987, Perth, WA 6845, Australia
John de Laeter Centre, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA
6845, Australia
Jack Gillespie
School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Curtin University, GPO Box
U1987, Perth, WA 6845, Australia
Bradley McDonald
School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Curtin University, GPO Box
U1987, Perth, WA 6845, Australia
Miles Darragh
AngloGold Ashanti Australia Ltd., 140 St. Georges Terrace, Perth, WA
6000, Australia
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Producing 3-D models of structures under the Earth's surface based on sensor data is a key problem in geophysics (for example, in mining exploration). There may be multiple models that explain the data well. We use the open-source Obsidian software to look at the efficiency of different methods for exploring the model space and attaching probabilities to models, leading to less biased results and a better idea of how sensor data interact with geological assumptions.
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The shell compositions of bivalve species from south Western Australia are described here to better understand the factors involved in their formation. The shell composition can be used to reconstruct past environmental conditions, but certain species manifest an offset compared to the environmental parameters measured. As shown here, shells that experience the same conditions can present different compositions in relation to structure, organic composition and environmental conditions.
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Romain Tartèse and Ian C. Lyon
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Absolute chronological constraints are crucial in Earth and planetary sciences. In recent years, U–Pb dating of carbonates has provided information on the timing of, for example, diagenesis, faulting, or hydrothermalism. These studies have targeted relatively young terrestrial carbonates up to 300 million years old. By dating 3.9 billion-year-old martian carbonates in situ using the U–Pb chronometer, we show that this system is robust in ancient samples that have had a relatively simple history.
Darwinaji Subarkah, Angus L. Nixon, Monica Jimenez, Alan S. Collins, Morgan L. Blades, Juraj Farkaš, Sarah E. Gilbert, Simon Holford, and Amber Jarrett
Geochronology, 4, 577–600, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-4-577-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-4-577-2022, 2022
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Advancements in technology have introduced new techniques to more quickly and cheaply date rocks with little sample preparation. A unique use of this method is to date shales and constrain when these rocks were first deposited. This approach can also time when such sequences were subsequently affected by heat or fluids after they were deposited. This is useful, as the formation of precious-metal-bearing systems or petroleum source rocks is commonly associated with such processes.
Daniil V. Popov
Geochronology, 4, 399–407, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-4-399-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-4-399-2022, 2022
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This work provides equations allowing the use of minerals with variable concentrations of parent and daughter isotopes as primary standards to correct for elemental fractionation during the analysis by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.
Alexander Simpson, Stijn Glorie, Martin Hand, Carl Spandler, Sarah Gilbert, and Brad Cave
Geochronology, 4, 353–372, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-4-353-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-4-353-2022, 2022
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The article demonstrates a new technique that can be used to determine the age of calcite crystallisation using the decay of 176Lu to 176Hf. The technique is novel because (a) Lu–Hf radiometric dating is rarely applied to calcite and (b) this is the first instance where analysis has been conducted by ablating the sample with a laser beam rather than bulk dissolution. By using laser ablation the original context of the sample is preserved.
Johannes Rembe, Renjie Zhou, Edward R. Sobel, Jonas Kley, Jie Chen, Jian-Xin Zhao, Yuexing Feng, and Daryl L. Howard
Geochronology, 4, 227–250, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-4-227-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-4-227-2022, 2022
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Calcite is frequently formed during alteration processes in the basaltic, uppermost layer of juvenile oceanic crust. Weathered oceanic basalts are hard to date with conventional radiometric methods. We show in a case study from the North Pamir, Central Asia, that calcite U–Pb age data, supported by geochemistry and petrological microscopy, have potential to date sufficiently old oceanic basalts, if the time span between basalt extrusion and latest calcite precipitation (~ 25 Myr) is considered.
Bar Elisha, Perach Nuriel, Andrew Kylander-Clark, and Ram Weinberger
Geochronology, 3, 337–349, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-3-337-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-3-337-2021, 2021
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Distinguishing between different dolomitization processes is challenging yet critical for resolving some of the issues and ambiguities related to the formation of dolomitic rocks. Accurate U–Pb absolute dating of dolomite by LA-ICP-MS could contribute to a better understanding of the dolomitization process by placing syngenetic, early diagenetic, and/or epigenetic events in the proper geological context.
Louise Lenoir, Thomas Blaise, Andréa Somogyi, Benjamin Brigaud, Jocelyn Barbarand, Claire Boukari, Julius Nouet, Aurore Brézard-Oudot, and Maurice Pagel
Geochronology, 3, 199–227, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-3-199-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-3-199-2021, 2021
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To explore the U–Pb geochronometer in fluorite, the spatial distribution of uranium and other substituted elements in natural crystals is investigated using induced fission-track and synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence mapping. LA-ICP-MS U–Pb dating on four crystals, which preserve micrometer-scale variations in U concentrations, yields identical ages within analytical uncertainty. Our results show that fluorite U–Pb geochronology has potential for dating distinct crystal growth stages.
Veronica Peverelli, Tanya Ewing, Daniela Rubatto, Martin Wille, Alfons Berger, Igor Maria Villa, Pierre Lanari, Thomas Pettke, and Marco Herwegh
Geochronology, 3, 123–147, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-3-123-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-3-123-2021, 2021
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This work presents LA-ICP-MS U–Pb geochronology of epidote in hydrothermal veins. The challenges of epidote dating are addressed, and a protocol is proposed allowing us to obtain epidote U–Pb ages with a precision as good as 5 % in addition to the initial Pb isotopic composition of the epidote-forming fluid. Epidote demonstrates its potential to be used as a U–Pb geochronometer and as a fluid tracer, allowing us to reconstruct the timing of hydrothermal activity and the origin of the fluid(s).
E. Troy Rasbury, Theodore M. Present, Paul Northrup, Ryan V. Tappero, Antonio Lanzirotti, Jennifer M. Cole, Kathleen M. Wooton, and Kevin Hatton
Geochronology, 3, 103–122, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-3-103-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-3-103-2021, 2021
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We characterize three natural carbonate samples with elevated uranium/lead (U/Pb) ratios to demonstrate techniques improving the understanding of U incorporation in carbonates for U/Pb dating. With the rapidly accelerating application of laser ablation analyses, there is a great need for well-characterized reference materials that can serve multiple functions. Strontium (Sr) isotope analyses and U XANES demonstrate that these samples could be used as reference materials.
Guilhem Hoareau, Fanny Claverie, Christophe Pecheyran, Christian Paroissin, Pierre-Alexandre Grignard, Geoffrey Motte, Olivier Chailan, and Jean-Pierre Girard
Geochronology, 3, 67–87, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-3-67-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-3-67-2021, 2021
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A new methodology for the micron-scale uranium–lead dating of carbonate minerals is proposed. It is based on the extraction of ages directly from pixel images (< 1 mm2) obtained by laser ablation coupled to a mass spectrometer. The ages are calculated with a robust linear regression through the pixel values. This methodology is compared to existing approaches.
Fanis Abdullin, Luigi A. Solari, Jesús Solé, and Carlos Ortega-Obregón
Geochronology, 3, 59–65, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-3-59-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-3-59-2021, 2021
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Unetched and etched apatite grains from five samples were dated by U–Pb method using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Our experiment indicates that etching needed for apatite fission track dating has insignificant effects on obtaining accurate U–Pb ages; thus, the laser ablation-based technique may be used for apatite fission track and U–Pb double dating.
Perach Nuriel, Jörn-Frederik Wotzlaw, Maria Ovtcharova, Anton Vaks, Ciprian Stremtan, Martin Šala, Nick M. W. Roberts, and Andrew R. C. Kylander-Clark
Geochronology, 3, 35–47, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-3-35-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-3-35-2021, 2021
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This contribution presents a new reference material, ASH-15 flowstone with an age of 2.965 ± 0.011 Ma (95 % CI), to be used for in situ U–Pb dating of carbonate material. The new age analyses include the use of the EARTHTIME isotopic tracers and a large number of sub-samples (n = 37) with small aliquots (1–7 mg) each that are more representative of laser-ablation spot analysis. The new results could improve the propagated uncertainties on the final age with a minimal value of 0.4 %.
Andrew R. C. Kylander-Clark
Geochronology, 2, 343–354, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-2-343-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-2-343-2020, 2020
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This paper serves as a guide to those interested in dating calcite by laser ablation. Within it are theoretical and practical limits of U and Pb concentrations (and U / Pb ratios), which would allow viable extraction of ages from calcite (and other minerals with moderate U / Pb ratios), and which type of instrumentation would be appropriate for any given sample. The method described uses a new detector array, allowing for lower detection limits and thereby expanding the range of viable samples.
George Gehrels, Dominique Giesler, Paul Olsen, Dennis Kent, Adam Marsh, William Parker, Cornelia Rasmussen, Roland Mundil, Randall Irmis, John Geissman, and Christopher Lepre
Geochronology, 2, 257–282, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-2-257-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-2-257-2020, 2020
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U–Pb ages of zircon crystals are used to determine the provenance and depositional age of strata of the Triassic Chinle and Moenkopi formations and the Permian Coconino Sandstone of northern Arizona. Primary source regions include the Ouachita orogen, local Precambrian basement rocks, and Permian–Triassic magmatic arcs to the south and west. Ages from fine-grained strata provide reliable depositional ages, whereas ages from sandstones are compromised by zircon grains recycled from older strata.
Marcel Guillong, Jörn-Frederik Wotzlaw, Nathan Looser, and Oscar Laurent
Geochronology, 2, 155–167, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-2-155-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-2-155-2020, 2020
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The dating of carbonates by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry is improved by an additional, newly characterised reference material and adapted data evaluation protocols: the shape (diameter to depth) of the ablation crater has to be as similar as possible in the reference material used and the unknown samples to avoid an offset. Different carbonates have different ablation rates per laser pulse. With robust uncertainty propagation, precision can be as good as 2–3 %.
Nick M. W. Roberts, Kerstin Drost, Matthew S. A. Horstwood, Daniel J. Condon, David Chew, Henrik Drake, Antoni E. Milodowski, Noah M. McLean, Andrew J. Smye, Richard J. Walker, Richard Haslam, Keith Hodson, Jonathan Imber, Nicolas Beaudoin, and Jack K. Lee
Geochronology, 2, 33–61, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-2-33-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-2-33-2020, 2020
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Here we review current progress in LA-ICP-MS U–Pb carbonate geochronology and present strategies for acquisition and interpretation of carbonate U–Pb dates. We cover topics from imaging techniques and U and Pb incorporation into calcite to potential limitations of the method – disequilibrium and isotope mobility. We demonstrate the incorporation of imaging and compositional data to help refine and interpret U–Pb dates. We expect this paper to become a
go-toreference paper for years to come.
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Short summary
Using a relatively new dating technique, in situ Rb–Sr geochronology, we constrain the ages of two generations of mineral assemblages from the Tropicana Zone, Western Australia. The first, dated at ca. 2535 Ma, is associated with exhumation of an Archean craton margin and gold mineralization. The second, dated at ca. 1210 Ma, has not been previously documented in the Tropicana Zone. It is probably associated with Stage II of the Albany–Fraser Orogeny and additional gold mineralization.
Using a relatively new dating technique, in situ Rb–Sr geochronology, we constrain the ages of...
