Articles | Volume 6, issue 4
https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-6-621-2024
© Author(s) 2024. 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-6-621-2024
© Author(s) 2024. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
26 Nov 2024
Research article |
| 26 Nov 2024
| 26 Nov 2024
µID-TIMS: spatially resolved high-precision U–Pb zircon geochronology
Sava Markovic
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Institute of Geochemistry and Petrology, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
Jörn-Frederik Wotzlaw
Institute of Geochemistry and Petrology, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
Dawid Szymanowski
Institute of Geochemistry and Petrology, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
Joakim Reuteler
Scientific Center for Optical and Electron Microscopy (ScopeM) ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
Peng Zeng
Scientific Center for Optical and Electron Microscopy (ScopeM) ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
Cyril Chelle-Michou
Institute of Geochemistry and Petrology, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
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We performed a statistical analysis of high precision U-Pb zircon age distributions. This reveals that volcanic and porphyry zircon age distributions are skewed to younger ages, whereas plutonic age distributions are skewed to older ages. We show that this is caused by truncation of zircon crystallisation by magma evacuation, rather than differences in magmatic flux. Our contribution has key implications for modelling of magma dynamics and eruption ages using zircon age distributions.
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We performed a statistical analysis of high precision U-Pb zircon age distributions. This reveals that volcanic and porphyry zircon age distributions are skewed to younger ages, whereas plutonic age distributions are skewed to older ages. We show that this is caused by truncation of zircon crystallisation by magma evacuation, rather than differences in magmatic flux. Our contribution has key implications for modelling of magma dynamics and eruption ages using zircon age distributions.
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RA138 is a new reference material for U–Pb dating of carbonate samples via laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. RA138 exhibits variable U–Pb ratios and consistent U content, resulting in a precise isochron with low uncertainty. Isotope dilution thermal ionization mass spectrometry analyses fix a reference age of 321.99 ± 0.65 Ma. This research advances our ability to date carbonate samples accurately, providing insights into geological processes and historical timelines.
Alyssa J. McKanna, Blair Schoene, and Dawid Szymanowski
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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.
Perach Nuriel, Jörn-Frederik Wotzlaw, Maria Ovtcharova, Anton Vaks, Ciprian Stremtan, Martin Šala, Nick M. W. Roberts, and Andrew R. C. Kylander-Clark
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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 %.
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The integration of zircon geochemistry and U–Pb geochronology (petrochronology) allows us to improve our understanding of magmatic processes. Here we could reconstruct the ~300 kyr evolution of the magma reservoir that sourced the magmas, fluids and metals to form the Batu Hijau porphyry Cu–Au deposit. The application of in situ LA-ICP-MS and high-precision CA–ID–TIMS geochronology to the same zircons further allowed an assessment of the strengths and limitations of the different techniques.
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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 %.
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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)
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Alyssa J. McKanna, Blair Schoene, and Dawid Szymanowski
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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.
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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.
Simon Tapster and Joshua W. G. Bright
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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.
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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.
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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
We present a pioneering method for high-precision U–Pb dating of individual growth zones in zircon. These micrometer zones in single grains can record key geological processes from magma priming prior to eruptions to planetary formation, yet dating them at high precision has so far been technically challenging. Our method employs two cutting-edge microbeam techniques to microsample these growth zones for high-precision dating, allowing us to tackle a number of outstanding research questions.
We present a pioneering method for high-precision U–Pb dating of individual growth zones in...
