U–Th isotopic microanalysis of zircon reference materials and KBSI working standards

Abstract Background The 238U–230Th disequilibrium dating of the mineral zircon (ZrSiO4) provides an efficient tool for investigating the time scales of Quaternary magmatic processes. In situ mass spectrometric U–Th microanalysis of zircon requires careful calibration and correction of the measured i...

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Main Authors: Youn-Joong Jeong, Shinae Lee, Sook Ju Kim, Hui Je Jo, Keewook Yi, Albert Chang-sik Cheong
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2018-08-01
Series:Journal of Analytical Science and Technology
Subjects:
Online Access:http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40543-018-0148-y
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author Youn-Joong Jeong
Shinae Lee
Sook Ju Kim
Hui Je Jo
Keewook Yi
Albert Chang-sik Cheong
author_facet Youn-Joong Jeong
Shinae Lee
Sook Ju Kim
Hui Je Jo
Keewook Yi
Albert Chang-sik Cheong
author_sort Youn-Joong Jeong
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background The 238U–230Th disequilibrium dating of the mineral zircon (ZrSiO4) provides an efficient tool for investigating the time scales of Quaternary magmatic processes. In situ mass spectrometric U–Th microanalysis of zircon requires careful calibration and correction of the measured isotope data, particularly for the instrumental fractionation of U and Th isotopes. Findings For the selection of suitable calibration materials for U–Th isotopic analysis using a laser ablation multiple collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (LA-MCICPMS), we estimated the homogeneity of four reference zircons (91500, TEMORA 2, FC1, and Plešovice) and two zircon working standards (LKZ-1 and BRZ-1) in terms of their 232Th/238U ratios, based on the Pb isotopic compositions measured by a sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP). The measured LA-MCICPMS 232Th/238U ratios of the zircons were calibrated externally using the SHRIMP 208Pb/206Pb-based average value of the 91500 zircon, 232Th/238U = 0.351 ± 0.035 (error corresponds to 1 standard deviation). The molecular interference-corrected 230Th/232Th ratios of the zircons were calibrated based on the assumption that the Plešovice zircon is in 238U–230Th secular equilibrium. After the calibration and correction, the activity ratios of 230Th/232Th and 238U/232Th for all reference zircons and working standards were plotted on the equiline. Conclusions This study confirms that the 91500 zircon is relatively homogeneous in terms of U/Th ratios (relative standard deviation = ~ 10%) and does not support a recent claim that the Plešovice zircon is not in 238U–230Th radioactive equilibrium. The working standards LKZ-1 and BRZ-1 can be used to check the reliability of U–Th isotopic analyses for Quaternary zircons.
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spelling doaj.art-bff88e4b79dd426da323f1c050da826e2022-12-21T18:52:29ZengSpringerOpenJournal of Analytical Science and Technology2093-33712018-08-01911810.1186/s40543-018-0148-yU–Th isotopic microanalysis of zircon reference materials and KBSI working standardsYoun-Joong Jeong0Shinae Lee1Sook Ju Kim2Hui Je Jo3Keewook Yi4Albert Chang-sik Cheong5Division of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Korea Basic Science InstituteDivision of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Korea Basic Science InstituteDivision of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Korea Basic Science InstituteDivision of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Korea Basic Science InstituteDivision of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Korea Basic Science InstituteDivision of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Korea Basic Science InstituteAbstract Background The 238U–230Th disequilibrium dating of the mineral zircon (ZrSiO4) provides an efficient tool for investigating the time scales of Quaternary magmatic processes. In situ mass spectrometric U–Th microanalysis of zircon requires careful calibration and correction of the measured isotope data, particularly for the instrumental fractionation of U and Th isotopes. Findings For the selection of suitable calibration materials for U–Th isotopic analysis using a laser ablation multiple collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (LA-MCICPMS), we estimated the homogeneity of four reference zircons (91500, TEMORA 2, FC1, and Plešovice) and two zircon working standards (LKZ-1 and BRZ-1) in terms of their 232Th/238U ratios, based on the Pb isotopic compositions measured by a sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP). The measured LA-MCICPMS 232Th/238U ratios of the zircons were calibrated externally using the SHRIMP 208Pb/206Pb-based average value of the 91500 zircon, 232Th/238U = 0.351 ± 0.035 (error corresponds to 1 standard deviation). The molecular interference-corrected 230Th/232Th ratios of the zircons were calibrated based on the assumption that the Plešovice zircon is in 238U–230Th secular equilibrium. After the calibration and correction, the activity ratios of 230Th/232Th and 238U/232Th for all reference zircons and working standards were plotted on the equiline. Conclusions This study confirms that the 91500 zircon is relatively homogeneous in terms of U/Th ratios (relative standard deviation = ~ 10%) and does not support a recent claim that the Plešovice zircon is not in 238U–230Th radioactive equilibrium. The working standards LKZ-1 and BRZ-1 can be used to check the reliability of U–Th isotopic analyses for Quaternary zircons.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40543-018-0148-yZircon standardU–Th isotopesUranium-series disequilibrium datingLaser ablation-ICPMS
spellingShingle Youn-Joong Jeong
Shinae Lee
Sook Ju Kim
Hui Je Jo
Keewook Yi
Albert Chang-sik Cheong
U–Th isotopic microanalysis of zircon reference materials and KBSI working standards
Journal of Analytical Science and Technology
Zircon standard
U–Th isotopes
Uranium-series disequilibrium dating
Laser ablation-ICPMS
title U–Th isotopic microanalysis of zircon reference materials and KBSI working standards
title_full U–Th isotopic microanalysis of zircon reference materials and KBSI working standards
title_fullStr U–Th isotopic microanalysis of zircon reference materials and KBSI working standards
title_full_unstemmed U–Th isotopic microanalysis of zircon reference materials and KBSI working standards
title_short U–Th isotopic microanalysis of zircon reference materials and KBSI working standards
title_sort u th isotopic microanalysis of zircon reference materials and kbsi working standards
topic Zircon standard
U–Th isotopes
Uranium-series disequilibrium dating
Laser ablation-ICPMS
url http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40543-018-0148-y
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