Improved U-Th-total Pb dating of zircons by electron microprobe using a simple new background modeling procedure and Ca as a chemical criterion of fluid-induced U-Th-Pb discordance in zircon
T. Geisler et H. Schleicher, Improved U-Th-total Pb dating of zircons by electron microprobe using a simple new background modeling procedure and Ca as a chemical criterion of fluid-induced U-Th-Pb discordance in zircon, CHEM GEOL, 163(1-4), 2000, pp. 269-285
We present a simple new background modeling method particularly for the det
ermination of trace concentrations of Pb, U and Th to date zircons chemical
ly by electron microprobe. This method reduces the acquisition time conside
rably, and at the same time increases the precision of a single Pb, U and T
h analysis. Depending on the analytical conditions, theoretical detection l
imits down to 45 ppm (99% confidence level) for U, Th and Pb could be obtai
ned. The final precision on age for a single measurement was between +/-8 a
nd +/-35% (1 sigma) at Pb concentrations between 100 and 200 ppm in Protero
zoic zircons. Precise U, Th and Pb analyses, however, do not necessarily fa
cilitate a straightforward chemical age calculation. U-Th-total Pb data of
zircons from four granites could not be objectively interpreted because of
a severe disturbance of the U-Th-Pb system. However, it is shown that chemi
cal ages derived only from zircon areas containing less than similar to 0.2
wt.% CaO agree very well with published conventional radiometric ages of t
hese rocks. We propose a model which explains the Ca gain and Pb loss of zi
rcons which have not undergone any metamorphism after emplacement to be the
result of a hydration of radiation damaged zircon domains through low temp
erature aqueous solutions. It is suggested that the Ca content can be used
independently from U, Th and Pb analyses as a chemical criterion to discrim
inate between altered zircon domains, having suffered a low temperature flu
id-induced Pb-loss, and non-altered zircon domains for which there is a hig
h probability that they will give concordant U-Th-Pb ages. (C) 2000 Elsevie
r Science B.V. All rights reserved.