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Alpha-recoil in U–Pb geochronology: effective sample size matters

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Abstract

Displacement of the daughter isotope by α-recoil results in an open system on the nanoscale. For a heterogeneous distribution of U and Th, this redistribution of intermediate and stable daughter isotopes results in subvolumes with a deficit of Pb and others with an excess of Pb. Whether such heterogeneities affect the analyzed U–Pb system depends on: (1) the volume of the analyzed sample, (2) the degree and scale of heterogeneity in the U and Th distribution, and (3) the analytical procedure. Spatial separation of parent and daughter through α-recoil affects the U–Pb systematics of leached samples, where leaching gives access to domains less than 1 μm wide. Anomalous data patterns originating from recoil induced parent-to-daughter fractionation are more important if there are strong heterogeneities in the U and Th distribution, whereby Pb excess appears more pronounced than Pb deficit. Fractionation of parent and daughter elements through selective dissolution of U-REE-rich growth zones in zircon and U-inclusions in columbite, as well as the presence of U–Th-rich micro-inclusions in silicates dated using a step-leaching scheme, may result in anomalous 207Pbrad/206Pbrad, scattered 206Pbrad/238U and 207Pbrad/235U, and reverse discordance. The accumulated structural damage controls the leaching and dissolution behavior, but may also influence the non-stoichiometric element mobilization during sputtering or ablation in the analysis of U-rich samples by SHRIMP and LA-MC-ICP-MS.

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Acknowledgements

I thank Sten Littmann (GFZ Potsdam) for Fig. 2b, c. The SEM images of leached columbite-tantalite crystals were made by Ulf Sturesson (Uppsala) in the course of an earlier project (with Sten-Anders Smeds, Uppsala). I am grateful to James M Mattinson (Santa Barbara) and Fernando Corfu (Oslo) for detailed and constructive reviews.

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  1. GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam, Telegrafenberg, 14473 , Potsdam, Germany

    Rolf L. Romer

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Correspondence to Rolf L. Romer.

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Romer, R.L. Alpha-recoil in U–Pb geochronology: effective sample size matters. Contrib Mineral Petrol 145, 481–491 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00410-003-0463-0

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