RESUMEN
This comment addresses the incorrect treatment and presentation of data from laser ablation ICP-MS U-Pb age determinations of two samples of the Trebíc Pluton. This results in inaccurate ages and error assessment, invalidating the age interpretations of the authors. To corroborate our arguments, new high-precision chemical abrasion ID-TIMS data are presented that unequivocally define the emplacement age of the Trebíc pluton.
RESUMEN
Isotope dilution thermal ionization mass spectrometry (ID-TIMS) is considered the "gold standard" for obtaining precise 87Rb/86Sr and 87Sr/86Sr isotope ratios and accurate elemental concentrations of Rb-Sr. However, the classical ID-TIMS technique is laborious and time-consuming because the purified Rb and Sr fractions must be individually loaded onto different independent filaments due to severe 87Rb isobaric interference on 87Sr. To overcome this issue, we developed a new method whereby Rb and Sr were sequentially measured by TIMS on the same filament, without venting, to obtain both ratios of 87Rb/86Sr and 87Sr/86Sr and concentrations of Rb and Sr. Results obtained from six silicate powders of certified reference materials are in good agreement with recommended values within ±0.002% for the 87Sr/86Sr ratio, ±2% for the 87Rb/86Sr ratio and the Rb and Sr elemental contents. The only exception is JG-1a, with slightly higher 87Rb/86Sr and slightly lower 87Sr/86Sr. This new method improved the analytical efficiency and sample throughput without compromising the analytical accuracy and precision. The filament consumption is reduced by 50% compared with conventional methods and therefore significantly reduces operation costs.
Asunto(s)
Isótopos , Silicatos , Técnicas de Dilución del Indicador , Espectrometría de MasasRESUMEN
Since 1964, the Center for Geochronological Research - CPGeo, one of the interdepartmental centers of the Instituto de Geociências (IG) of São Paulo University, has developed studies related to several geological processes associated with different rock types. Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry Isotopic Dilution (ID-TIMS) has been the technique widely used in the CPGeo U-Pb Laboratory. It provides reliable and accurate results in age determination of superposed events. However, the open-system behavior such as Pb-loss, the inheritance problem and metamictization processes allow and impel us to a much richer understanding of the power and limitations of U-Pb geochronology and thermochronology. In this article, we present the current methodology used at the CPGeo-IGc-USP U-Pb laboratory, the improvements on ID-TIMS method, and report high-precision U-Pb data from zircon, monazite, epidote, titanite, baddeleyite and rutile from different rock types of several domains of the Brazilian south-southeast area, Argentina and Uruguay.
O Centro de Pesquisas Geocronológicas (CPGeo), um dos centros interdepartamentais do Instituto de Geociências (IG) da Universidade de São Paulo (USP), desde 1964 desenvolve estudos relacionados a diversos processos geológicos que se associam a diferentes tipos de rochas. A técnica amplamente utilizada no Laboratório U-Pb é a diluição isotópica por espectrometria de massa termo ionizada (ID-TIMS). Esta sistemática proporciona resultados bastante confiáveis e precisos na determinação das idades de eventos geológicos superpostos. Entretanto, o comportamento de sistema aberto como perda de Pb, problemas de herança isotópica e processos de metamictização, nos permite o entendimento do poder e limitação da geocronologia e termocronologia U-Pb. Neste artigo apresentamos a metodologia atualmente utilizada no Laboratório U-Pb do CPGeo-IGc-USP, as melhorias atingidas na técnica ID-TIMS e alguns dados obtidos em zircão, epídoto, titanita, baddeleyita e rutilo de diferentes tipos de rochas de alguns domínios da região sul-sudeste brasileira e da Argentina e Uruguai.