University of Tasmania
Browse
147343 - Assessment of the mineral ilmenite - Author version.pdf (2.47 MB)

Assessment of the mineral ilmenite for U–Pb dating by LA-ICP-MS†

Download (2.47 MB)
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-21, 03:32 authored by Thompson, JM, Karsten GoemannKarsten Goemann, Ivan BelousovIvan Belousov, Kate JenkinsKate Jenkins, Kobussen, A, Powell, W, Leonid Danyushevsky
The chemical composition of the mineral ilmenite is useful in mineral exploration for diamonds and in understanding igneous geological processes. This study develops an analytical methodology for accurate analyses of ilmenite by LA-ICP-MS for major, minor, trace element and U–Pb isotopic compositions. Accuracy of chemical compositions by LA-ICP-MS is monitored by comparing with EMPA and accuracy of the LA-ICP-MS U–Pb ages is verified by comparison to published ages for other mineral geochrometers from the same sample. Variation of laser fluence (2, 3 and 5 J cm−2) and calibration materials (Mud Tank zircon, BCR-2g, and TB-1 rutile) are optimized to provide the best accuracy of ilmenite chemical and isotopic compositions. Rutile, as the primary calibration material for Pb/U ratios, produces accurate U–Pb ages within analytical uncertainties. Use of normalization to a 100% metal oxide total for LA-ICP-MS analyses, coupled with mineral stoichiometry calculations, allows for the estimation of Fe2+/Fe3+ ratios that compare well with similar estimates from EMPA (0.23 vs. 0.22 respectively). U–Pb age results from an igneous ilmenite from the Bushveld Complex using this methodology are within uncertainty of the zircon ID-TIMS age of the intrusion (2044 ± 31 Ma (2 s) vs. 2054.4 ± 1.3 Ma (2 s)).

History

Publication title

Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry

Volume

36

Issue

6

Pagination

1244-1260

ISSN

0267-9477

Department/School

School of Natural Sciences

Publisher

Royal Soc Chemistry

Place of publication

Thomas Graham House, Science Park, Milton Rd, Cambridge, England, Cambs, Cb4 0Wf

Rights statement

Copyright © 2021 The Royal Society of Chemistry

Repository Status

  • Open

Socio-economic Objectives

Diamond exploration; Expanding knowledge in the earth sciences

Usage metrics

    University Of Tasmania

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC