A Practical Approach for Collecting Large-n Detrital Zircon U-Pb Data sets by Quadrupole LA-ICP-MS

Abstract

A measurement procedure for the rapid acquisition of U-Pb dates for detrital zircons by quadrupole LA-ICP-MS was developed. The procedure achieves a threefold increase in measurement efficiency compared with the most commonly used methods. Utilising reduced background counting times and a shortened ablation period, a throughput of ~ 130 measurements/h can be achieved. The measurement procedure was characterised and validated using data from thirty-nine sessions acquired over a twelve-month period. Systematic measurement error in 206Pb/238U dates for reference materials used for quality control with ages between 28.2 and 2672 Ma was < 1.5%. Average measurement uncertainty, including both random and systematic components, was 1–4% (2s). Interrogation of time-resolved calculated dates and signal intensities for each measurement allows for the detection and elimination of portions of measurements exhibiting age heterogeneities, zoning, lead loss and contamination by common lead. The measurement procedure diminishes the need to acquire cathodoluminescence imagery for routine detrital zircon applications further increasing throughput and reducing cost. The utility of the measurement procedure is demonstrated by the measurement of samples previously characterised by LA-MC-ICP-MS.