Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Monazite and xenotime U–Th–Pb geochronology by ion microprobe: dating highly fractionated granites at Xihuashan tungsten mine, SE China

  • Published:
Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Zircon, monazite, and xenotime have proven to be valuable chronometers for various geological processes due to their commonly high-U–Th and low common Pb contents. However, zircons that have crystallized in highly fractionated granites often have such high-U contents that radiation damage can lead to scattered U–Pb ages when measured with secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). In this study, monazite and xenotime were separated from a number of highly fractionated granites at the Xihuashan tungsten mine, Southeast China, for alternative dating methods by SIMS. For monazite analysis, obvious excess 204Pb signal (mainly from interference of 232Th144Nd16O2 ++) was observed in high-Th (>2 wt%) monazite, which hinders 204Pb-based common Pb corrections. A 207Pb-based common Pb correction method was used instead. By employing power law relationships between Pb+/U+ versus UO2 +/U+, Pb+/Th+ versus ThO2 +/Th+ and suitable exponentials, monazites with ThO2 contents in the range of ~3–19 % do not exhibit this matrix effect. Independent SIMS U–Pb ages and Th–Pb ages of three phases of Xihuashan granite samples were consistent with each other and yielded dates of 158.7 ± 0.7, 158.0 ± 0.7, and 156.9 ± 0.7 Ma, respectively. Xenotime does show marked matrix effects due to variations of U, Th, and Y [or total rare earth element (REE), referred as ΣREE hereafter] contents. Suitable correction factors require end-member standards with extremely high or low U, Th, and Y (or ΣREE) contents. No excess 204Pb was observed, indicating that the 204Pb-based common Pb correction method is feasible. Independent 207Pb/206Pb ages can be obtained, although multi-collector mode is necessary to improve precision. The main difficulties with dating xenotime are when high-Th (U) mineral inclusions are ablated. We can identify when this occurs, however, by comparing the measured UO2 +/U+ and ThO2 +/Th+ with those in xenotime standards. Three xenotime samples from the first phase of Xihuashan granite yielded a weighted mean 207Pb/206Pb date of 159.5 ± 4.4 Ma (MSWD = 1.0) and a 206Pb/238U date of 159.4 ± 0.9 Ma (MSWD = 1.6), which are consistent with monazite U–Pb and Th–Pb ages from the same granites. This study demonstrates that monazite and xenotime are better SIMS chronometers for highly fractionated granites than zircon, which can yield doubtful ages due to high-U contents.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aleinikoff JN, Schenck WS, Plank MO, Srogi L, Fanning CM, Kamo SL, Bosbyshell H (2006) Deciphering igneous and metamorphic events in high-grade rocks of the Wilmington Complex, Delaware: morphology, cathodoluminescene and backscattered electron zoning, and SHRIMP U–Pb geochronology of zircon and monazite. Geol Soc Am Bull v118:39–64. doi:10.1130/B25659.1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Allen CM, Campbell IH (2012) Identification and elimination of a matrix-induced systematic error in LA-ICP-MS 206Pb/238U dating of zircon. Chem Geol 332:157–165

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bai XJ, Wang M, Lu KH, Fang JL, Pu ZP, Qiu HN (2011) Direct dating of cassiterite by 40Ar/39Ar progressive crushing. Chin Sci Bull 56:1899–1904 (in Chinese)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bau M (1996) Controls on the fractionation of isovalent trace elements in magmatic and aqueous systems: evidence from Y/Ho, Zr/Hf and lanthanide tetrad effect. Contrib Mineral Petrol 123:323–333

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Claoué-Long JC, Compston W, Roberts J, Fanning CM (1995) Two Carboniferous ages: a comparison of SHRIMP zircon dating with conventional zircon ages and 40Ar/39Ar analysis. In: Berggren WA, Kent DV, Aubry M-P, Hardenbol J (eds) Geochronology, time scales and global stratigraphic correlation. SEPM special publication. Society for Sedimentary Geology, Tulsa, pp 3–21

    Google Scholar 

  • De Chambost E, Schuhmacher M, Lovestam G, Claesson S (1996) Achieving high transmission with the Cameca IMS-1270. In: Benninghoven A, Hagenhoff B, Werner HW (eds) Secondary ion mass spectrometry, SIMS X. Wiley, Chichester, pp 1003–1006

    Google Scholar 

  • Fletcher IR, McNaughton NJ, Aleinikoff JA, Rasmussen B, Kamo SL (2004) Improved calibration procedures and new standards for U–Pb and Th–Pb dating of Phanerozoic xenotime by ion microprobe. Chem Geol 209:295–314

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fletcher IR, McNaughton NJ, Davis WJ, Rasmussen B (2010) Matrix effects and calibration limitations in ion probe U–Pb and Th–Pb dating of monazite. Chem Geol 270:31–44

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gao YY, Li XH, Li QL, Chuang SL (2010) Quaternary zircon geochronology by secondary ion mass spectrometry: a case study of the Chinkuashi dacite from northeastern Taiwan. Earth Sci Frontiers 17:146–155 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Giuliani G, Li YD, Sheng TF (1988) Fluid inclusion study of Xihuashan tungsten deposit in the southern Jiangxi province, China. Miner Deposita 23:24–33

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gregory CJ, Rubatto D, Allen CM, Williams IS, Hermann J, Ireland T (2007) Allanite micro-geochronology: a LA-ICP-MS and SHRIMP U–Th–Pb study. Chem Geol 245:162–182

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guo CL, Chen YC, Zeng ZL, Lou FS (2012) Petrogenesis of the Xihuashan granites in Southeastern China: constraints from geochemistry and in situ Zircon U–Pb–Hf–O isotopes. Lithos 148:209–227

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harrison TM, McKeegan KD, LeFort P (1995) Detection of inherited monazite in the Manaslu leucogranite by 208Pb/232Th ion microprobe dating: crystallization age and tectonic implications. Earth Planet Sci Lett 133:271–282

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harrison TM, Catlos EJ, Montel JM (2002) U–Th–Pb dating of phosphate minerals. Rev Mineral Geochem 48:523–558

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hsu KC (1943) Tungsten deposits of southern Kiangsi, China. Econ Geol 38:431–474

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Irber W (1999) The lanthanide tetrad effect and its correlation with K/Rb, Eu/Eu∗, Sr/Eu, Y/Ho, and Zr/Hf of evolving peraluminous granite suites. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 63:489–508

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ireland TR, Williams IS (2003) Considerations in zircon geochronology by SIMS. In: Hanchar JM, Hoskin PWO (eds) Zircon: reviews in mineralogy and geochemistry, vol 53. The Mineralogical Society of America, Washington, DC, pp 215–241

  • Ireland TR, Compston W, Williams IS, Wendt I (1990) U–Th–Pb systematics of individual perovskite grains from the Allende and Murchison carbonaceous chondrites. Earth Planet Sci Lett 101:379–387

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ireland TR, Wooden JL, Persing HM, Ito B (1999) Geological applications and analytical development of the SHRIMP RG:EOS, transactions. AGU 80(46):1117 (suppl)

    Google Scholar 

  • Jahn BM, Wu F, Capdevila R, Martineau F, Zhao Z, Wang Y (2001) Highly evolved juvenile granites with tetrad REE patterns: the Woduhe and Baerzhe granites from the Great Xing’an Mountains in NE China. Lithos 59:171–198

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Le Bel L, Li YD, Sheng JF (1984) Granitic evolution of the Xihuashan-Dangping (Jiangxi, China) tungsten-bearing system. Mineral Petrol 33:149–167

    Google Scholar 

  • Leech ML (2008) Does the karakoram fault interrupt mid-crustal channel flow in the western Himalaya? Earth Planet Sci Lett 276(3–4):314–322

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li YD, Sheng JF, Le Bel L, Giuliani G (1986) Evidence for the lower continental crustal source of the Xihuashan granite. Acta Geological Sinica 60:256–274 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Li XH, Liu DY, Sun M, Li WX, Liang XR, Liu Y (2004) Precise Sm–Nd and U–Pb isotopic dating of the super-giant Shizhuyuan polymetallic deposit and its host granite, Southeast China. Geol Mag 141:225–231

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li XH, Li ZX, Li WX, Liu Y, Yuan C, Wei GJ, Qi CS (2007) U–Pb zircon, geochemical and Sr-Nd-Hf isotopic constraints on age and origin of Jurassic I- and A-type granites from central Guangdong, SE China: a major igneous event in respond to foundering of a subducted flat-slab? Lithos 96:186–204

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li XH, Liu Y, Li QL, Guo CH, Chamberlain KR (2009a) Precise determination of phanerozoic zircon Pb/Pb age by multi-collector SIMS without external standardization. Geochem Geophys Geosyst 10:Q04010. doi:10.1029/2009GC002400

    Google Scholar 

  • Li XH, Li WX, Wang XC, Li QL, Liu Y, Tang GQ (2009b) Role of mantle-derived magma in genesis of early Yanshanian granites in the Nanling Range, South China: in situ zircon Hf–O isotopic constraints. Sci China, Ser D Earth Sci 52:1262–1278

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li QL, Li XH, Liu Y, Tang GQ (2010a) Precise U–Pb and Pb–Pb dating of phanerozoic baddeleyite by SIMS with oxygen flooding technique. J Anal At Spectrom 25:1107–1113

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li QL, Li XH, Liu Y, Wu FY, Yang JH, Mitchell RH (2010b) Precise U–Pb and Th–Pb age determination of kimberlitic perovskites by secondary ion mass spectrometry. Chem Geol 269:396–405

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li XH, Li WX, Wang XC, Li QL, Liu Y, Tang GQ, Gao YY, Wu FY (2010c) SIMS U–Pb zircon geochronology of porphyry Cu–Au–(Mo) deposits in the Yangtze River Metallogenic Belt, eastern China: magmatic response to early Cretaceous lithospheric extension. Lithos 119:427–438

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li QL, Lin W, Su W, Li XH, Shi YH, Liu Y, Tang GQ (2011) SIMS U–Pb rutile age of low-temperature eclogites from southwestern Chinese Tianshan, NW China. Lithos 122:76–86

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li QL, Li XH, Wu FY, Yin QZ, Ye HM, Liu Y, Tang GQ, Zhang CL (2012) In-situ SIMS U–Pb dating of phanerozoic apatite with low U and high common Pb. Gondwana Res 21:745–756

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu ZC, Wu FY, Guo CL, Zhao ZF, Yang JH, Sun JF (2011) In situ U–Pb dating of xenotime by laser ablation (LA)-ICP-MS. Chin Sci Bull 56:2948–2956

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ludwig KR (2001) Users manual for Isoplot/Ex rev 2.49. Berkeley Geochronology Centre special publication. no 1a, 56 pp

  • Maruéjol P, Cuney M, Turpin L (1990) Magmatic and hydrothermal R.E.E. fractionation in the Xihuashan granites (SE China). Contrib Mineral Petrol 104:668–680

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McKee EH, Rytuba JJ, Xu KQ (1987) Geochronology of the Xihuashan composite granitic body and tungsten mineralization, Jiangxi province, Southeast China. Econ Geol 82:218–223

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pei R, Hong D (1995) The granites of South China and their metallogeny. Episodes 18:77–82

    Google Scholar 

  • Pyle JM, Spear FS, Rudnick RL, Mcdonough WF (2001) Monazite-xenotime-garnet equilibrium in metapelites and a new monazite-garnet thermometer. J Petrol 42:2083–2107

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sano Y, Oyama T, Terada K, Hidaka H (1999) Ion microprobe U–Pb dating of apatite. Chem Geol 153:249–258

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schärer U (1984) The effect of initial 230Th disequilibrium on young U–Pb ages: the Makalu case, Himalaya. Earth Planet Sci Lett 67:191–204

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seydoux-Guillaume AM, Paquette JL, Wiedenbeck M, Montel JM, Heinrich W (2002) Experimental resetting of the U–Th–Pb systems in monazite. Chem Geol 191:165–181

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sircombe K (1997) Detrital mineral SHRIMP geochronology and provenance analysis of sediments in eastern Australia. Unpublished PhD thesis, The Australian National University, 411 pp

  • Stacey JS, Kramers JD (1975) Approximation of terrestrial lead isotope evolution by a two-stage model. Earth Planet Sci Lett 26:207–221

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Steiger RH, Jäger E (1977) Subcommission of geochronology: convention on the use of decay constants in geo- and cosmo-chronology. Earth Planet Sci Lett 36:359–362

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stern RA, Berman RG (2000) Monazite U–Pb and Th–Pb geochronology by ion microprobe with an application to in situ dating of an Archean metasedimentary rock. Chem Geol 172:113–130

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stern RA, Rainbird RH (2001) Advancements in xenotime U–Pb geochronology by ion microprobe. In: Eleventh V.I. Goldschmidt conference. Lunar and Planetary Science Institute, Houston

  • Stern RA, Rayner N (2003) Ages of several xenotime megacrysts by ID-TIMS: potential reference materials for ion probe U–Pb geochronology. Geological Survey of Canada, current research 2003-F1; radiogenic age and isotopic studies, report 16, pp 1–7

  • Taylor R, Clark C, Reddy SM (2012) The effect of grain orientation on secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) analysis of rutile. Chem Geol 300:81–87

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang LK, Zhu WF, Zhang SL (1982) On the evolution of two petrogenetic and mineralized series of granites in South China. Geochimica 11:329–339

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang FY, Li CY, Ling MX, Zhang H, Sun YL, Sun WD (2011) Geochronology of the Xihuashan tungsten deposit in southeastern China: constraints from Re–Os and U–Pb dating. Resour Geol 61:414–423

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • White LT, Ireland TR (2012) High-uranium matrix effect in zircon and its implications for SHRIMP U–Pb age determinations. Chem Geol 306:78–91

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • White LT, Ahmad T, Ireland TR, Lister GS, Forster MA (2011) Deconvolving episodic age spectra from zircons of the Ladakh Batholith, northwest Indian Himalaya. Chem Geol 289:179–196

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whitehouse MJ, Claesson S, Sunde T, Vestin J (1997) Ion-microprobe U–Pb zircon geochronology and correlation of Archaean gneisses from the Lewisian Complex of Gruinard Bay, north-west Scotland. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 61:4429–4438

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Williams IS (1998) U–Th–Pb geochronology by ion microprobe. In: McKibben MA, Shanks WC III, Ridley WI (eds) Applications of microanalytical techniques to understanding mineralizing processes. Reviews in economic geology, vol 7. Society of Economic Geologists, El Paso, pp 1–35

  • Williams IS, Hergt JM (2000) U–Pb dating of Tasmanian dolerites: a cautionary tale of SHRIMP analysis of high-U zircon (abs.). In: Woodhead JD, Hergt JM, Noble WP (eds) Beyond 2000; new frontiers in isotope geoscience. University of Melbourne, Melbourne, pp 185–188

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu YL, Mei YW, Liu PC, Cai CL, Lu TY (1985) Geology of the Xihuashan tungsten ore field. Geological Publishing House, Beijing, pp 1–317 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Xu KQ, Hu SX, Sun M, Zhang J, Ye J, Li H (1980) Regional factors controlling the formation of tungsten deposits in south China. In: Tungsten geology symposium, Jiangxi, China, Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific/Regional Mineral Resource Development Center (United Nations), Bandung, Indonesia, Geological Publishing House, Beijing, China, pp 473–488

  • Yang JH, Chen XY, Wang XD (2009) Zircon LA-ICPMS U–Pb dating and ore-forming fluid geochemical characteristics of Dangping tungsten-bearing granites in Jiangxi province, Southeast China. Acta Mineralogica Sinica 29(supplement):339–340 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ye Y (1989) Rb and Sr isotopic composition of Xihuashan granite and its petrogenetic significance. J Zhejiang Univ (Nat Sci) 23:460–466 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang WL, Hua RM, Wang RC, Li HM, Qu WJ, Ji JQ (2009) New dating of the Piaotang granite and related tungsten mineralization in Southern Jiangxi. Acta Geological Sinica 83:659–670 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhou XM, Sun T, Shen WZ, Shu LS, Niu YL (2006) Petrogenesis of mesozoic granitoids and volcanic rocks in South China: a response to tectonic evolution. Episodes 29:26–33

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhu XK, O’Nions RK, Gibb AJ (1998) SIMS analysis of U–Pb isotopes in monazite: matrix effects. Chem Geol 144:305–312

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Kevin R. Chamberlain for detailed proofreading. The paper has benefited from review comments of White L.T. and another anonymous reviewer and editorial comments of Timothy L. Grove. This work was supported by Chinese National 973 Project (Grant 2013CB835005, 2009CB825008), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (41222023, 41273069, 41221002), and the State Key Laboratory of Lithospheric Evolution, IGG-CAS.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Lithospheric Evolution, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100029, China

    Q. L. Li, X. H. Li, Z. W. Lan, Y. N. Yang, Y. Liu & G. Q. Tang

  2. Institute of Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China

    C. L. Guo

  3. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100039, China

    Y. N. Yang

Authors
  1. Q. L. Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. X. H. Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Z. W. Lan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. C. L. Guo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Y. N. Yang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Y. Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. G. Q. Tang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Q. L. Li.

Additional information

Communicated by T. L. Grove.

Electronic supplementary material

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Li, Q.L., Li, X.H., Lan, Z.W. et al. Monazite and xenotime U–Th–Pb geochronology by ion microprobe: dating highly fractionated granites at Xihuashan tungsten mine, SE China. Contrib Mineral Petrol 166, 65–80 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00410-013-0865-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00410-013-0865-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation