Determination of U–Pb Ages for Young Zircons using Laser Ablation‐ICP‐Mass Spectrometry Coupled with an Ion Detection Attenuator Device

We have developed new analytical procedures to measure precise and accurate ²³⁸U–²⁰⁶Pb and ²³⁵U–²⁰⁷Pb ages for young (~ 1 Ma) zircons using laser ablation‐ICP‐mass spectrometry. For young zircons, both careful correction for the background counts and analysis of very small Pb/U ratios (i.e., ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U < 0.00016 and ²⁰⁷Pb/²³⁵U < 0.0001 for 1 Ma zircons) are highly desired. For the correction of the background, the contribution of the background signal intensities for the analytes, especially for the residual signal intensities for ²⁰⁶Pb and ²⁰⁷Pb, was defined through laser ablation of synthesised zircons (ablation blank) containing negligible Pb. The measured signal intensities for ²⁰²Hg, ²⁰⁶Pb and ²⁰⁷Pb signals obtained by the ablation blank were slightly higher than those obtained by data acquisition without laser ablation (gas blank). For the wider dynamic range measurements on Pb/U ratios, an attenuator device for the ion detection system was employed to extend the capability to monitor high‐intensity signals (i.e., > 3 Mcps). Through the attenuator device, the ion currents were reduced to 1/450 of the signal intensity without the attenuator. Because the switching time for the attenuator was shorter than 1 ms, signal intensities for only specific isotopes could be reduced. With attenuation of the ²³⁸U signal, counting statistics on ²⁰⁶Pb and ²⁰⁷Pb isotopes could be improved and counting loss on the ²³⁸U signal could be minimised. To demonstrate the reliability of this new analytical technique, ²³⁸U–²⁰⁶Pb and ²³⁵U–²⁰⁷Pb ages for three young zircon samples (collected from Osaka Group Pink Volcanic Ash, Kirigamine and Bishop Tuff) were measured. The data presented here demonstrate clearly that the present technique could become a major analytical tool for in situ U–Pb age determination of young zircons (~ 1 Ma).     

Accuracy of Laser Ablation U-Pb Zircon Dating: Results from a Test Using Five Different Reference Zircons

Using a state‐of‐the‐art 193 nm‐LA‐MC‐ICP‐MS system and with careful control of analytical procedures, the long term external reproducibility and accuracy of the ages Phanerozoic zircons measured over a period of months using calibrator bracketing for the ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U and ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ages were ca. 1% (2 RSD) if a single reference zircon was used for the matrix‐matched calibration. When different reference zircons were used for the calibration, suspicious systematic shifts in the obtained ages were observed and thus a reduction in the overall accuracy of the dating method became obvious. Such shifts were within a few percent range of the U‐Pb and Pb/Pb ages and seemed to vary independently of zircon age and composition. A “test of accuracy” experiment was conducted reducing instrumental effects as far as possible by analysing five different reference zircons mounted on a single mount eight times during the same session. An identical protocol was used for all analyses, with unchanged instrument parameters and with ion beam intensities kept as identical as possible. For data reduction, every zircon served consecutively as the reference zircon for calibration, with the others in the batch treated as unknowns. The known reference age and the four calculated ages obtained using the four other RMs for calibration were then compared. Even using such a strict analytical protocol, shifts in ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U, ²⁰⁷Pb/²³⁵U and ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ratios were still present. They varied non‐systematically and ranged from ?4.35% to 3.08% for the investigated age range (1065 Ma to 226 Ma). Assuming the absence of instrumental effects (i.e., memory, dead‐time correction, non‐linearity of ion counters and interdetector calibration, crystallographic orientation, ablation cell geometry and setup, gas flows), the observed shifts were attributed to matrix and/or ablation related effects. It is proposed that non‐spectral matrix effects in the Ar plasma torch resulted in non‐uniform signal enhancement (or depression?) leading to shifts both in elemental and Pb isotopic ratios. Additionally, the ablated particle size distribution could be an important factor controlling plasma conditions and thus mass bias and fractionation. Until such effects are well understood and controlled, it would seem that any LA‐ICP‐MS zircon U‐Pb and ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb age determination cannot be meaningfully interpreted at below a ca. 3% to 4% (2 RSD) confidence level.     

A LA-ICP-MS Comparison of Reference Materials Used in Cassiterite U-Pb Geochronology

Laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) is used to compare the suitability of four cassiterite (SnO₂) materials (SPG, Yankee, AY-4 and Jian-1), and three matrix-mismatched reference materials (NIST SRM 612, NIST SRM 614 and 91500 zircon) for normalisation of U-Pb and Pb-Pb isotope ratios in cassiterite. The excess variance of ages determined by LA-ICP-MS is estimated to be ±0.33% for ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb vs. ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁶Pb isochron ages and ± 1.8% and for U-Pb ages. Incorporation of this excess variance in cassiterite ages is necessary for realistic uncertainties. ²⁰⁷Pb-²⁰⁶Pb ages are advantageous for dating Precambrian cassiterite such as SPG compared with U-Pb ages as matrix effect on instrumental mass fractionation of Pb isotopes are generally considered to be minor. We note minor bias in ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb vs. ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁶Pb isochron ages (~ 0.6%) when using either the NIST SRM 614 or 91500 zircon reference materials and emphasise the requirement for uncertainty propagation of all sources of error and reference materials with comparable U and Pb mass fraction to the cassiterite. The ²³⁸U/²⁰⁶Pb isotopic ratios from normalisation to matrix-mismatched reference materials show varied results, which emphasises the need to use matrix-matched reference materials for calculating U-Pb ages. When cross-calibrated against each other, LA-ICP-MS U-Pb ages of the ca. 1535 Ma SPG, ca. 245 Ma Yankee and ca. 155 Ma Jian-1 cassiterites are all consistent with their ID-TIMS values.     

Accurate U-Pb Age and Trace Element Determinations of Zircon by Laser Ablation-Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry

Various zircons of Proterozoic to Oligocene ages (1060-31 Ma) were analysed by laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Calibration was performed using Harvard reference zircon 91500 or Australian National University reference zircon TEMORA 1 as external calibrant. The results agree with those obtained by SIMS within 2s error. Twenty-four trace and rare earth elements (P, Ti, Cr, Y, Nb, fourteen REE, Hf, Ta, Pb, Th and U) were analysed on four fragments of zircon 91500. NIST SRM 610 was used as the reference material and ²⁹Si was used as internal calibrant. Based on determinations of four fragments, this zircon shows significant intra-and inter-fragment variations in the range from 10% to 85% on a scale of 120 μm, with the variation of REE concentrations up to 38.7%, although the chondrite-normalised REE distributions are very similar. In contrast, the determined age values for zircon 91500 agree with TIMS data and are homogeneous within 8.7 Ma (2 s ). A two-stage ablation strategy was developed for optimising U-Pb age determinations with satisfactory trace element and REE results. The first cycle of ablation was used to collect data for age determination only, which was followed by continuous ablation on the same spot to determine REE and trace element concentrations. Based on this procedure, it was possible to measure zircon ages as low as 30.37 0.39 Ma (MSWD = 1.4; 2 s ). Other examples for older zircons are also given.     

Simultaneous determinations of U–Pb age,Hf isotopes and trace element compositions of zircon by excimer laser-ablation quadrupole and multiple-collector ICP-MS

We describe an in situ method for simultaneous measurement of U–Pb–Hf isotopes and trace element compositions of zircons using a quadrupole and multiple-collector inductively-coupled-plasma mass spectrometer (Q-ICP-MS and MC-ICP-MS, respectively) connected to a single excimer laser-ablation system. A laser-generated zircon aerosol was split behind the ablation cell into two transport tubes via a Y-shaped connector and simultaneously introduced into the two mass spectrometers. Hafnium isotopes were measured on the MC-ICP-MS instrument, while U–Pb ages and trace element compositions were determined using the Q-ICP-MS. The precision and accuracy of this method was evaluated using six well-known and widely used zircon standards (91500, Temora-2, GJ-1, Mud Tank, BR266 and Monastery). Analyses were carried out using spot sizes of 32, 44 and 60 μm. For the 44 and 60 μm spot, the resulting U–Pb ages, Hf isotopic and rare earth element (REE) compositions of these six zircons agree with recommended/reported values within 2σ error. The difference in relative standard deviations (RSD) of ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages between split-flow measurements and those obtained separately on the Q-ICP-MS is within ～ 20% for 91500, Temora-2 and GJ-1, and ～ 60% for Mud Tank (due to its lower U and Pb concentrations). Our method provides a precise approach for determining the U–Pb age and the Hf isotopic and trace element compositions of zircon within a single ablation event. This is in particular important for analysis of zircons that are small or contain complicated zoning patterns. Finally, the REE composition of zircon BR266 is more homogeneous than other zircons and could be a suitable standard by which to benchmark new standards for microprobe analyses of zircons.     

GHR1 Zircon – A New Eocene Natural Reference Material for Microbeam U‐Pb Geochronology and Hf Isotopic Analysis of Zircon

We present multitechnique U‐Pb geochronology and Hf isotopic data from zircon separated from rapakivi biotite granite within the Eocene Golden Horn batholith in Washington, USA. A weighted mean of twenty‐five Th‐corrected ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U zircon dates produced at two independent laboratories using chemical abrasion‐isotope dilution‐thermal ionisation mass spectrometry (CA‐ID‐TIMS) is 48.106 ± 0.023 Ma (2s analytical including tracer uncertainties, MSWD = 1.53) and is our recommended date for GHR1 zircon. Microbeam ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U dates from laser ablation‐inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS) and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) laboratories are reproducible and in agreement with the CA‐ID‐TIMS date to within < 1.5%. Solution multi‐collector ICP‐MS (MC‐ICP‐MS) measurements of Hf isotopes from chemically purified aliquots of GHR1 yield a mean ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf of 0.283050 ± 17 (2s, n = 10), corresponding to a εHf₀ of +9.3. Hafnium isotopic measurements from two LA‐ICP‐MS laboratories are in agreement with the solution MC‐ICP‐MS value. The reproducibility of ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U and ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf ratios from GHR1 zircon across a variety of measurement techniques demonstrates their homogeneity in most grains. Additionally, the effectively limitless reserves of GHR1 material from an accessible exposure suggest that GHR1 can provide a useful reference material for U‐Pb geochronology of Cenozoic zircon and Hf isotopic measurements of zircon with radiogenic ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf.     

Dating Micrometre‐Thin Rims Using a LA‐ICP‐MS Depth Profiling Technique on Zircon from an Archaean Metasediment: Comparison with the SIMS Depth Profiling Method

Laser ablation‐inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS) was examined as a tool for measuring isotopic variation as a function of ablation depth in unpolished zircon from an Archaean metasediment specimen. This technique was able to identify micrometre‐thin (> 3 μm) isotopically distinct mineral domains characterised by ca. 100 Myr younger ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ages associated with 2s age uncertainties as low ~ 0.2%, as well as elevated U content relative to grain interiors (up to an order of magnitude). Our calculated drilling rate suggests that each laser pulse excavated depths of ~ 0.06 μm. Ages resolved through the LA‐ICP‐MS methods overlap the 2s uncertainties of ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ages measured using SIMS depth profiling on the same zircon population. The rims were further evinced by the detection of relative enrichment (> 3 orders of magnitude) in REE in the outermost micrometres of the same zircon, measured using a different and independent LA‐ICP‐MS depth profiling technique. We propose a LA‐ICP‐MS U–Pb technique capable of quickly identifying and quantifying rims, which are indication of late, yet geologically significant, fluid events that are otherwise undefined.     

U‐Th Zircon Dating by Laser Ablation Single Collector Inductively Coupled Plasma‐Mass Spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS)

Zircon crystals in the age range of ca. 10–300 ka can be dated by ²³⁰Th/²³⁸U (U‐Th) disequilibrium methods because of the strong fractionation between Th and U during crystallisation of zircon from melts. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS) analysis of nine commonly used reference zircons (at secular equilibrium) and a synthetic zircon indicates that corrections for abundance sensitivity and dizirconium trioxide molecular ions (Zr₂O₃⁺) are critical for reliable determination of ²³⁰Th abundances in zircon. When corrected for abundance sensitivity and interferences, mean activity ratios of (²³⁰Th)/(²³⁸U) for nine reference zircons analysed on five different days averaged 0.995 ± 0.023 (95% confidence weighted by data‐point uncertainty only, MSWD = 1.6; n = 9), consistent with their U‐Pb ages > 4 Ma that imply equilibrium for all intermediate daughter isotopes (including ²³⁰Th) within the ²³⁸U decay chain. U‐Th zircon ages generated by LA‐ICP‐MS without mitigating (e.g., by high mass resolution) or correcting for abundance sensitivity and molecular interferences on ²³⁰Th are potentially unreliable. To validate the applicability of LA‐ICP‐MS to this dating method, we acquired data from three late Quaternary volcanic units: the 41 ka Campanian Ignimbrite (plutonic clasts), the 161 ka Kos Plateau Tuff (juvenile clasts) and the 12 ka Puy de Dôme trachyte lava (all eruption ages by Ar/Ar, with zircon U‐Th ages being of equal or slightly older). A comparison of the corrected LA‐ICP‐MS results with previously published secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) data for these rocks shows comparable ages with equivalent precision for LA‐ICP‐MS and SIMS, but much shorter analysis durations (~ 2 min vs. ~ 15 min) per spot with LA‐ICP‐MS and much simpler sample preparation. Previously undated zircons from the Yali eruption (Kos‐Nisyros volcanic centre, Greece) were analysed using this method. This yielded a large age spread (~ 45 to > 300 ka), suggesting significant antecryst recycling. The youngest zircon age (~ 45 ± 10 ka) provides a reasonable maximum estimate for the eruption age, in agreement with the previously published age using oxygen isotope stratigraphy (~ 31 ka).     

Ion microprobe U–Pb dating of zircon with a 15 micrometer spatial resolution using NanoSIMS

We developed a ²³⁸U–²⁰⁶Pb^⁎ and ²⁰⁷Pb^⁎–²⁰⁶Pb^⁎ zircon dating method using a Cameca NanoSIMS NS50 ion microprobe. A 7-to 9-nA O⁻ primary beam was used to sputter a 15-μm crater, and secondary positive ions were extracted for mass analysis using the Mattauch–Herzog geometry. The multicollector system was modified to detect ⁹⁰Zr⁺, ²⁰⁴Pb⁺, ²⁰⁶Pb⁺, ²³⁸U¹⁶O⁺, and ²³⁸U¹⁶O₂⁺ ions simultaneously. A mass resolution of about 4000 at 10% peak height and with a flat peak top was attained, and the sensitivity of Pb was about 4 cps·nA^− 1·ppm^− 1. A multicrystal zircon standard (QGNG) from South Australia with a U–Pb age of 1842 Ma was used as a reference for Pb⁺/UO⁺–UO₂⁺/UO⁺ calibration, and on the basis of the positive correlation between these ratios, we determined the sample ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ratios. ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ratios were measured by magnetic scanning in single-collector mode. The standard zircons 91500, from Canada, and SL13, from Sri Lanka, were analyzed against QGNG. Observed ²³⁸U–²⁰⁶Pb^⁎ and ²⁰⁷Pb^⁎–²⁰⁶Pb^⁎ ages agreed well with published ages within experimental error. Then, 16 zircon grains in a metamorphic rock from Nagasaki, Japan, were analyzed. Observed ages were compatible with SHRIMP ages, suggesting that the NanoSIMS with a 15-μm probe diameter is suitable for ion microprobe U–Pb zircon dating.     

SA01 – A Proposed Zircon Reference Material for Microbeam U‐Pb Age and Hf‐O Isotopic Determination

A new natural zircon reference material SA01 is introduced for U‐Pb geochronology as well as O and Hf isotope geochemistry by microbeam techniques. The zircon megacryst is homogeneous with respect to U‐Pb, O and Hf isotopes based on a large number of measurements by laser ablation‐inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS) and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). Chemical abrasion isotope dilution thermal ionisation mass spectrometry (CA‐ID‐TIMS) U‐Pb isotopic analyses produced a mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age of 535.08 ± 0.32 Ma (2s, n = 10). Results of SIMS and LA‐ICP‐MS analyses on individual shards are consistent with the TIMS ages within uncertainty. The δ¹⁸O value determined by laser fluorination is 6.16 ± 0.26‰ (2s, n = 14), and the mean ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf ratio determined by solution MC‐ICP‐MS is 0.282293 ± 0.000007 (2s, n = 30), which are in good agreement with the statistical mean of microbeam analyses. The megacryst is characterised by significant localised variations in Th/U ratio (0.328–4.269) and Li isotopic ratio (?5.5 to +7.9‰); the latter makes it unsuitable as a lithium isotope reference material.     

Zircon M257 ‐ a Homogeneous Natural Reference Material for the Ion Microprobe U‐Pb Analysis of Zircon

We introduce and propose zircon M257 as a future reference material for the determination of zircon U‐Pb ages by means of secondary ion mass spectrometry. This light brownish, flawless, cut gemstone specimen from Sri Lanka weighed 5.14 g (25.7 carats). Zircon M257 has TIMS‐determined, mean isotopic ratios (2s uncertainties) of 0.09100 ± 0.00003 for ²⁰⁶pb/²³⁸U and 0.7392 ± 0.0003 for ²⁰⁷pb/²³⁵U. Its ²⁰⁶pb/²³⁸U age is 561.3 ± 0.3 Ma (unweighted mean, uncertainty quoted at the 95% confidence level); the U‐Pb system is concordant within uncertainty of decay constants. Zircon M257 contains ～ 840 μg g^?1 U (Th/U ～ 0.27). The material exhibits remarkably low heterogeneity, with a virtual absence of any internal textures even in cathodoluminescence images. The uniform, moderate degree of radiation damage (estimated from the expansion of unit‐cell parameters, broadening of Raman spectral parameters and density) corresponds well, within the “Sri Lankan trends”, with actinide concentrations, U‐Pb age, and the calculated alpha fluence of 1.66 × 10¹⁸ g^?1. This, and a (U+Th)/He age of 419 ± 9 Ma (2s), enables us to exclude any unusual thermal history or heat treatment, which could potentially have affected the retention of radiogenic Pb. The oxygen isotope ratio of this zircon is 13.9%o VSMOW suggesting a metamorphic genesis in a marble or calc‐silicate skarn.     

A Potential (U‐Th)/He Zircon Reference Material from Penglai Zircon Megacrysts

In this study (U‐Th)/He dating of the Penglai zircons, which occur as abundant megacrysts in Neogene alkaline basalts in northern Hainan Province, south‐eastern China, was undertaken. A weighted mean age of 4.06 ± 0.35 Ma (2s) with a mean square weighted deviation (MSWD) of 1.79 was obtained from eighteen fragments of four zircon megacrysts using single‐crystal laser fusion He determinations and the U‐Th isotope dilution (ID) method. The (U‐Th)/He ages are consistent, homogeneous and systematically slightly younger than the preferred ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age of 4.4 ± 0.1 Ma (95% confidence interval) determined by ID‐TIMS and subsequently published U‐Pb results. The U‐Pb isotopic system in zircon has a high closure temperature of ~ 900 °C, and the preferred U‐Pb age may record both the time since eruption and the zircon residence time in the magma chamber. In contrast, the closure temperature of the zircon (U‐Th)/He system is ~ 190 °C and the zircon megacrysts were brought quickly to the surface by the host basaltic magma. Thus, the (U‐Th)/He age represents the timing of the eruption. Based on the unlimited quantity, large grain size, mostly weak broad zoning, rapid cooling and homogenous (U‐Th)/He ages, we consider the Penglai zircons suitable for use as a reference material in (U‐Th)/He isotope geochronology.     

Zircon M127 – A Homogeneous Reference Material for SIMS U–Pb Geochronology Combined with Hafnium,Oxygen and,Potentially, Lithium Isotope Analysis

In this article, we document a detailed analytical characterisation of zircon M127, a homogeneous 12.7 carat gemstone from Ratnapura, Sri Lanka. Zircon M127 has TIMS‐determined mean U–Pb radiogenic isotopic ratios of 0.084743 ± 0.000027 for ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U and 0.67676 ± 0.00023 for ²⁰⁷Pb/²³⁵U (weighted means, 2s uncertainties). Its ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age of 524.36 ± 0.16 Ma (95% confidence uncertainty) is concordant within the uncertainties of decay constants. The δ¹⁸O value (determined by laser fluorination) is 8.26 ± 0.06‰ VSMOW (2s), and the mean ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf ratio (determined by solution ICP‐MS) is 0.282396 ± 0.000004 (2s). The SIMS‐determined δ⁷Li value is ?0.6 ± 0.9‰ (2s), with a mean mass fraction of 1.0 ± 0.1 μg g^?1 Li (2s). Zircon M127 contains ~ 923 μg g^?1 U. The moderate degree of radiation damage corresponds well with the time‐integrated self‐irradiation dose of 1.82 × 10¹⁸ alpha events per gram. This observation, and the (U–Th)/He age of 426 ± 7 Ma (2s), which is typical of unheated Sri Lankan zircon, enable us to exclude any thermal treatment. Zircon M127 is proposed as a reference material for the determination of zircon U–Pb ages by means of SIMS in combination with hafnium and stable isotope (oxygen and potentially also lithium) determination.     

A Practical Approach for Collecting Large‐n Detrital Zircon U‐Pb Data sets by Quadrupole LA‐ICP‐MS

A measurement procedure for the rapid acquisition of U‐Pb dates for detrital zircons by quadrupole LA‐ICP‐MS was developed. The procedure achieves a threefold increase in measurement efficiency compared with the most commonly used methods. Utilising reduced background counting times and a shortened ablation period, a throughput of ~ 130 measurements/h can be achieved. The measurement procedure was characterised and validated using data from thirty‐nine sessions acquired over a twelve‐month period. Systematic measurement error in ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U dates for reference materials used for quality control with ages between 28.2 and 2672 Ma was < 1.5%. Average measurement uncertainty, including both random and systematic components, was 1–4% (2s). Interrogation of time‐resolved calculated dates and signal intensities for each measurement allows for the detection and elimination of portions of measurements exhibiting age heterogeneities, zoning, lead loss and contamination by common lead. The measurement procedure diminishes the need to acquire cathodoluminescence imagery for routine detrital zircon applications further increasing throughput and reducing cost. The utility of the measurement procedure is demonstrated by the measurement of samples previously characterised by LA‐MC‐ICP‐MS.     

SHRIMP Zircon U-Pb Dating of the Tongshi Magmatic Complex in Western Shandong and Its Geological Implications

1 Introduction Since the Guilaizhuang gold deposit was discovered in the 1980s, the Tongshi magmatic complex has attracted attention since it exhibits a spatial-temporal relationship to gold mineralization. In the past ten years, a number of detailed fundamental researches have been carried out on the complex, Guilaizhuang gold deposit and their relationships (Qiu et al., 1994; Lin et al., 1996; Yan et al., 1996; Xu et al., 1999; Kong et al., 2001; Shun et al., 2001). Up to date, some res…     

中国大陆地壳单颗粒锆石U-Pb年代学特征:国内文献数据的初步分析

锆石U-Pb年代学方法已经成为地质学研究必不可少的方法。本文收集整理了二十世纪八十年代以来分散在期刊论文、学位论文等多种出版载体中的锆石U-Pb年代学数据,建成中国大陆单颗粒锆石数据库中文子库。该数据子库涉及截至到2017年底的文献2331篇,有效数据154768条目,数据总量已经能够用来进行数据的初步分析和相关地球科学研究。数据子库中年龄-年龄绝对误差关系的分析表明,Age(~(206)Pb/~(238)U)、Age(~(207)Pb/~(235)U)、Age(~(207)Pb/~(206)Pb)在不同的地质年代区间误差表现有所不同。在小于1684.4Ma、1684.4~2855.2Ma、大于2855.2Ma年龄区Age(~(206)Pb/~(238)U)、Age(~(207)Pb/~(235)U)、Age(~(207)Pb/~(206)Pb)的误差最小、置信度最好,除了Age(~(207)Pb/~(235)U)测试方法的原因外,Age(~(206)Pb/~(238)U)和Age(~(207)Pb/~(206)Pb)可分别作为不同年龄段的推荐年龄。将选用的推荐年龄运用于LA-ICP-MS、SHRIMP、SIMS三种方法的比较,得出其适用于不同地质年代的范围。推荐年龄运用于年龄-频数图中并使用高斯多峰拟合,则可发现中国大陆锆石存在6个生长峰期,分别为131.71Ma、255.17Ma、442.42Ma、811.56Ma、1868.36Ma和2505.31Ma等;更小尺度下的新生代则存在七个峰期,分别为16.99Ma、27.64Ma、35.26Ma、43.44Ma、48.27Ma、52.74Ma和62.07Ma等,峰期及其对应测试点的位置可与中国大陆地壳演化重大历史事件对应。     

The Diamantina Monazite: A New Low‐Th Reference Material for Microanalysis

Most monazite reference materials (RMs) for in situ U‐Pb geochronology are rich in Th; however, many hydrothermal ore deposits contain monazite that is low in trace element contents, including Th, U and Pb. Because of potential problems with matrix effects and the lack of appropriate matrix‐matched RMs, such variations can bias dating of hydrothermal deposits. In this paper, we describe a polycrystalline low‐U and low‐Th Diamantina monazite from the Espinhaço Range, SE Brazil. It has a U‐Pb ID‐TIMS weighted mean ²⁰⁷Pb^*/²³⁵U ratio of 0.62913 ± 0.00079, ²⁰⁶Pb^*/²³⁸U of 0.079861 ± 0.000088 and ²⁰⁷Pb^*/²⁰⁶Pb^* of 0.057130 ± 0.000031, yielding a weighted mean ²⁰⁶Pb^*/²³⁸U date of 495.26 ± 0.54 Ma (95% c.l.). In situ dates acquired with different methods (LA‐(Q, SF, MC)‐ICP‐MS and SIMS) are within uncertainty of the ID‐TIMS data. U‐Pb LA‐(Q, MC)‐ICP‐MS runs, using Diamantina as a primary RM, reproduced the ages of other established RMs within < 1% deviation. The LA‐MC‐ICP‐MS analyses yielded homogeneous Sm‐Nd isotopic compositions (¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd = 0.511427 ± 23, 2s; ¹⁴⁷Sm/¹⁴⁴Nd = 0.1177 ± 13, 2s) and εNd_(495 Ma) of ?18.7 ± 0.5 (2s). SIMS oxygen isotope determinations showed measurement reproducibility better than ± 0.3‰ (2s), confirming Diamantina's relative homogeneity at test portion masses below 1 ng.     

Report on 34 Ga SHRIMP Zircon Age from the Yuntaishan Geopark in Jiaozuo, Henan Province

1 Introduction According to recent researches, the North China Craton consists of three parts: the eastern block, western block and central zone (Zhao, 2001; Wilde et al., 2002). Paleoarchean continental blocks and zircon residuals have only been found in a few regions, such as Anshan, East Liaoning (Liu et al., 1992; Song et al., 1996; Wan et al., 2002, 2005), Caozhuang, East Hebei (Liu et al., 1992) and Xinyang, West Henan (Zheng et al., 2004), which are mainly distributed in the east…     

Age and provenance of early Precambrian metasedimentary rocks in the Lapland–Kola Belt, Russia: evidence from Pb and Nd isotopic data

²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ages are presented for detrital zircons (Laser Ablation Microprobe ICP‐MS) and whole‐rock Nd isotopic determinations (TIMS) from samples of Neoarchean and Palaeoproterozoic metasedimentary rocks from the Umba granulite terrane and the Keivy domain of the Central Kola composite terrane, Kola Peninsula, north‐western Russia. Three are samples of rocks from the Umba granulite terrane that were deposited ≈ 2.20–1.90 Ga; they contain Archaean detritus, much of it older than 3.0 Gyr, as well as abundant 2.20–1.95‐Gyr‐old material. Deposition may have occurred on the margin of an Archaean craton with an exposed Palaeoproterozoic magmatic arc source, possibly during orogenesis. Two samples from the Keivy domain have remarkably similar, dominantly Archaean detrital zircon age spectra. One was deposited pre‐2.4 Ga, whereas the other was probably deposited post‐2.01 Ga. Both had similar sources, compatible with the proximal country rocks, and possible shallow‐water (?) cratonic margin depositional settings.     

A New Appraisal of Sri Lankan BB Zircon as a Reference Material for LA‐ICP‐MS U‐Pb Geochronology and Lu‐Hf Isotope Tracing

A potential zircon reference material (BB zircon) for laser ablation‐inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS) U‐Pb geochronology and Hf isotope geochemistry is described. A batch of twenty zircon megacrysts (0.5–1.5 cm³) from Sri Lanka was studied. Within‐grain rare earth element (REE) compositions are largely homogeneous, albeit with some variation seen between fractured and homogeneous domains. Excluding fractured cathodoluminescence bright domains, the variation in U content for all analysed crystals ranged from 227 to 368 μg g^?1 and the average Th/U ratios were between 0.20 and 0.47. The Hf isotope composition (0.56–0.84 g/100 g Hf) is homogeneous within and between the grains – mean ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf of 0.281674 ± 0.000018 (2s). The calculated alpha dose of 0.59 × 10¹⁸ g^?1 for a number of BB grains falls within the trend of previously studied, untreated zircon samples from Sri Lanka. Aliquots of the same crystal (analysed by ID‐TIMS in four different laboratories) gave consistent U‐Pb ages with excellent measurement reproducibility (0.1–0.4% RSD). Interlaboratory assessment (by LA‐ICP‐MS) from individual crystals returned results that are within uncertainty equivalent to the TIMS ages. Finally, we report on within‐ and between‐grain homogeneity of the oxygen isotope systematic of four BB crystals (13.16‰ VSMOW).