Articles | Volume 5, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-5-127-2023
© Author(s) 2023. 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-5-127-2023
© Author(s) 2023. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Chemical abrasion: the mechanics of zircon dissolution
Los Alamos National Laboratory, EES-16, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA
Department of Geosciences, Guyot Hall, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
Isabel Koran
Department of Geosciences, Guyot Hall, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
Blair Schoene
Department of Geosciences, Guyot Hall, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
Richard A. Ketcham
Jackson School of Geosciences, The University of Texas Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
Related authors
Alyssa J. McKanna, Blair Schoene, and Dawid Szymanowski
Geochronology, 6, 1–20, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-6-1-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-6-1-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Acid leaching is used to remove radiation-damaged portions of zircon crystals prior to U–Pb dating to improve the accuracy of datasets. We test how the temperature and duration of acid leaching affect geochronological and geochemical outcomes. We build a framework that relates radiation damage, zircon solubility, and Pb loss.
Murat Taner Tamer, Ling Chung, Richard A. Ketcham, and Andrew J. W. Gleadow
Geochronology Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-2024-26, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-2024-26, 2024
Preprint under review for GChron
Short summary
Short summary
We present the first new image-based study to reveal how choices made by different analysts affect the results obtained by fission-track analysis. Participants analyzed an identical image data set with varying grain quality. Experienced analysts tend to select lower rates of unsuitable grains and conduct lower rates of invalid length measurements. Fission-track studies need image data repositories, teaching modules, guidelines, an open science culture, and new approaches for calibration.
Alyssa J. McKanna, Blair Schoene, and Dawid Szymanowski
Geochronology, 6, 1–20, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-6-1-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-6-1-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Acid leaching is used to remove radiation-damaged portions of zircon crystals prior to U–Pb dating to improve the accuracy of datasets. We test how the temperature and duration of acid leaching affect geochronological and geochemical outcomes. We build a framework that relates radiation damage, zircon solubility, and Pb loss.
David M. Whipp, Dawn A. Kellett, Isabelle Coutand, and Richard A. Ketcham
Geochronology, 4, 143–152, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-4-143-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-4-143-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Multi-thermochronometry, in which methods such as (U-Th)/He dating of zircon and apatite and apatite fission track dating are combined, is used to reconstruct rock thermal histories. Our ability to reconstruct thermal histories and interpret the geological significance of measured ages requires modeling. Here we use forward models to explore effects of grain size and chemistry on cooling ages and closure temperatures for the (U-Th)/He decay systems in apatite and zircon.
Richard A. Ketcham and Murat T. Tamer
Geochronology, 3, 433–464, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-3-433-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-3-433-2021, 2021
Short summary
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We introduce a new model of how etching reveals damage tracks left by fissioning atoms, which accounts for variable along-track etching rates. This complete characterization explains many observations, including community difficulty in obtaining consistent track length measurements. It also provides a quantitative basis for optimizing etching procedures, discerning more about how radiation damage anneals, and ultimately deriving more reproducible fission-track ages and thermal histories.
Blair Schoene, Michael P. Eddy, C. Brenhin Keller, and Kyle M. Samperton
Geochronology, 3, 181–198, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-3-181-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-3-181-2021, 2021
Short summary
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We compare two published U–Pb and 40Ar / 39Ar geochronologic datasets to produce eruption rate models for the Deccan Traps large igneous province. Applying the same approach to each dataset, the resulting models agree well, but the higher-precision U–Pb dataset results in a more detailed eruption model than the lower-precision 40Ar / 39Ar data. We explore sources of geologic uncertainty and reiterate the importance of systematic uncertainties in comparing U–Pb and 40Ar / 39Ar datasets.
C. Brenhin Keller, Patrick Boehnke, Blair Schoene, and T. Mark Harrison
Geochronology, 1, 85–97, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-1-85-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-1-85-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
The oldest known minerals on Earth are Hadean (> 4.0 Ga) zircons from the Jack Hills, Australia. We present the first application to such Hadean zircons of stepwise chemical abrasion–isotope dilution–thermal ionization mass spectrometry with trace element analysis (stepwise CA-ID-TIMS-TEA). We examine the evolution in the U–Pb age and trace element chemistry of zircon domains accessed by successive chemical abrasion steps in the context of the geologic history of the Jack Hills zircons.
Emily H. G. Cooperdock, Richard A. Ketcham, and Daniel F. Stockli
Geochronology, 1, 17–41, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-1-17-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-1-17-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
(U–Th) / He chronometry relies on accurate grain-specific size and shape measurements. Using > 100 apatite grains to compare
assumed2-D versus
true3-D grain shapes measured by a microscope and X-ray computed tomography, respectively, we find that volume and surface area both differ by ~ 25 % between the two techniques and directly affect mass and concentration measurements. But we found a very small effect on the FT correction (2 %) and no discernible impact on mean sample age or dispersion.
Related subject area
Longlived radio-isotope systems
µID-TIMS: Spatially-resolved high-precision U-Pb zircon geochronology
Geochronological and geochemical effects of zircon chemical abrasion: insights from single-crystal stepwise dissolution experiments
High-precision ID-TIMS cassiterite U–Pb systematics using a low-contamination hydrothermal decomposition: implications for LA-ICP-MS and ore deposit geochronology
Multimethod U–Pb baddeleyite dating: insights from the Spread Eagle Intrusive Complex and Cape St. Mary's sills, Newfoundland, Canada
Highly accurate dating of micrometre-scale baddeleyite domains through combined focused ion beam extraction and U–Pb thermal ionization mass spectrometry (FIB-TIMS)
Stepwise chemical abrasion–isotope dilution–thermal ionization mass spectrometry with trace element analysis of microfractured Hadean zircon
Sava Markovic, Jörn-Frederik Wotzlaw, Dawid Szymanowski, Joakim Reuteler, Peng Zeng, and Cyril Chelle-Michou
Geochronology Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-2024-17, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-2024-17, 2024
Revised manuscript accepted for GChron
Short summary
Short summary
We present a pioneering method for high-precision absolute dating of individual growth zones in mineral zircon. The micrometer-wide growth zones record key processes in Earth and Planetary sciences, such as conditions in magma reservoirs prior to supereruptions or planetary formation during the early stages of the Solar system. In our approach, we directly sample the growth zones with a focused ion beam and high pulse laser, allowing to tackle a number of long-standing research questions.
Alyssa J. McKanna, Blair Schoene, and Dawid Szymanowski
Geochronology, 6, 1–20, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-6-1-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-6-1-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Acid leaching is used to remove radiation-damaged portions of zircon crystals prior to U–Pb dating to improve the accuracy of datasets. We test how the temperature and duration of acid leaching affect geochronological and geochemical outcomes. We build a framework that relates radiation damage, zircon solubility, and Pb loss.
Simon Tapster and Joshua W. G. Bright
Geochronology, 2, 425–441, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-2-425-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-2-425-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Cassiterite is the primary tin ore mineral and is associated with other elements needed for green technology. The mineral is deposited from hydrothermal fluids released from magmas. Because it is extremely acid resistant, there has been difficulty dissolving the mineral for isotopic analysis. To improve the understanding of the timing and models of formation processes, we use a novel method to dissolve and extract radiogenic isotopes of the uranium-to-lead decay scheme from cassiterite.
Johannes E. Pohlner, Axel K. Schmitt, Kevin R. Chamberlain, Joshua H. F. L. Davies, Anne Hildenbrand, and Gregor Austermann
Geochronology, 2, 187–208, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-2-187-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-2-187-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Baddeleyite is commonly used for U–Pb dating, but textural complexities, alteration features and discordance often make age interpretation difficult. Based on this case study, we discuss strategies for obtaining more accurate baddeleyite ages by high-precision and high spatial resolution methods, including analytical challenges and discordance interpretation. An evaluation of microtextures allows us to distinguish among seven different types of baddeleyite–zircon intergrowths.
Lee F. White, Kimberly T. Tait, Sandra L. Kamo, Desmond E. Moser, and James R. Darling
Geochronology, 2, 177–186, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-2-177-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-2-177-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
The generation of highly precise and accurate ages requires crushing of the original sample so that individual mineral grains may be separated out for dating. Here, we use a focused ion beam to extract grains directly from a subset of a sample, effectively performing microsurgery to isolate individual crystals from the rock itself. This approach opens the door to high-precision dating for a variety of precious planetary materials that have previously been challenging to date.
C. Brenhin Keller, Patrick Boehnke, Blair Schoene, and T. Mark Harrison
Geochronology, 1, 85–97, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-1-85-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-1-85-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
The oldest known minerals on Earth are Hadean (> 4.0 Ga) zircons from the Jack Hills, Australia. We present the first application to such Hadean zircons of stepwise chemical abrasion–isotope dilution–thermal ionization mass spectrometry with trace element analysis (stepwise CA-ID-TIMS-TEA). We examine the evolution in the U–Pb age and trace element chemistry of zircon domains accessed by successive chemical abrasion steps in the context of the geologic history of the Jack Hills zircons.
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Short summary
Acid leaching is commonly used to remove damaged portions of zircon crystals prior to U–Pb dating. However, a basic understanding of the microstructural processes that occur during leaching is lacking. We present the first 3D view of zircon dissolution based on X-ray computed tomography data acquired before and after acid leaching. These data are paired with images of etched grain surfaces and Raman spectral data. We also reveal exciting opportunities for imaging radiation damage zoning in 3D.
Acid leaching is commonly used to remove damaged portions of zircon crystals prior to U–Pb...