Exploration of Issues Related to the LA–ICP–MS U–Pb Dating Technique

LI Yanguang; JIN Mengqi; WANG Shuangshuang; LÜ Pengrui

doi:10.12401/j.nwg.2023104

2023 Vol. 56, No. 4

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Article navigation > Northwestern Geology > 2023 > 56(4): 274-282

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LI Yanguang, JIN Mengqi, WANG Shuangshuang, LÜ Pengrui. 2023. Exploration of Issues Related to the LA–ICP–MS U–Pb Dating Technique. Northwestern Geology, 56(4): 274-282. doi: 10.12401/j.nwg.2023104

Citation:

LI Yanguang, JIN Mengqi, WANG Shuangshuang, LÜ Pengrui. 2023. Exploration of Issues Related to the LA–ICP–MS U–Pb Dating Technique. Northwestern Geology, 56(4): 274-282. doi: 10.12401/j.nwg.2023104

Exploration of Issues Related to the LA–ICP–MS U–Pb Dating Technique

1.
Xi’an Center of China Geological Survey / Northwest China Center for Geoscience Innovation, Key Laboratory for the Study of Focused Magmatism and Giant Ore Deposits, MNR, Centre for Orogenic Belt Geology of China Geological Survey, Xi’an 710119, Shannxi, China
2.
School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, Anhui, China

Received Date: 24 April 2023

Revised Date: 10 May 2023

Accepted Date: 31 May 2023

Publish Date: 20 August 2023

Abstract

Abstract

The LA–ICP–MS U–Pb dating technique is a crucial tool that has been widely employed in geological sciences. Despite its relative maturity, several critical issues still require attention in practical applications. This article provides a brief discussion of five critical aspects of this technique, including sample preparation, selection of dating results, lead loss, common lead, and presentation and interpretation of dating results. Firstly, for the U–Pb dating of complex minerals, it is recommended to employ mineral identification and location techniques in combination with LA–ICP–MS instruments for in–situ analysis directly on rock thin sections or polished sections, without mineral separation. However, attention must be paid to Pb contamination in sample preparation. Secondly, for the selection of dating results for detrital minerals, the ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb age is utilized to represent the crystallization age of grains older than 1.5 Ga, while the ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age is employed for grains younger than 1.5 Ga. The determination and selection of the maximum depositional age of sedimentary rocks mainly rely on statistical methods and sometimes require the combination of geochemical data and geological background information as supplementary criteria. Thirdly, for young samples with continuous age distribution on the concordia line, various methods such as the concordia diagram, weighted mean diagram, CL images, and element contents should be used to identify whether there is an inconsistent lead loss line or not. Furthermore, this article focuses on a rarely used common lead correction method for detrital mineral U–Pb dating. Finally, this article emphasizes the theoretical basis that, when evaluating the quality of the weighted mean value, the closer the MSWD is to 1, the higher the data quality is. In summary, to conduct U–Pb dating studies on minerals using LA–ICP–MS technology, it is essential to consider multiple factors comprehensively to obtain accurate, reliable, and geologically meaningful dating results.
- LA–ICP–MS U–Pb dating /
- maximum depositional age /
- lead loss /
- common lead /
- MSWD

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References

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