In-situ Lu-Hf geochronology of garnet, apatite and xenotime by LA ICP MS/MS

Lu-Hf geochronology is a powerful method to constrain the temporal evolution of geological systems. Traditional application of this dating method requires time-consuming chemical separation of the parent (Lu-176) and daughter (Hf-176) isotopes that is commonly accompanied by loss of textural context of the analysed minerals. In contrast, In-situ (laser-ablation based) Lu-Hf geochronology offers a number of advantages including rapid analysis with high spatial resolution, as well as control on textural relationships of the analysed mineral. However, laser-ablation based Lu-Hf geochronology has been hindered by isobaric interferences of Yb-176 and Lu-176 on Hf-176 that have effectively masked reliable determination of Lu-176 and Hf-176. We present a methodology that resolves these interferences using LA-ICP-MS/MS (laser ablation tandem inductively coupled mass spectrometry) and NH3 gas to separate Hf from Lu. Both Lu, Yb, and Hf react with NH3 to form a variety of product ions. By measuring high order reaction products (e.g. Hf(NH)(NH2)(NH3)(3)(+)), we demonstrate that Hf-176 can be measured interference-free from Lu-176 and Yb-176 with sufficient sensitivity to yield useful geochronological age data. The novel in-situ Lu-Hf technique has been successfully applied to a variety of Palaeozoic and Precambrianaged garnet, apatite and xenotime samples, including published reference materials. The resulting age uncertainties are as low as similar to 0.5% (95% conf. interval). The technique has the potential to obtain spatially-resolved Lu-Hf ages in garnet-bearing samples that would be difficult to obtain by conventional techniques. The method also offers the opportunity for rapid campaign style geochronology in complex terrains that record polymetamorphic histories. In apatite, the expected higher closure temperature of the Lu-Hf system compared to the commonly used U-Pb system allows high-temperature thermal history reconstructions. In addition, Lu-Hf dating of apatite allows dating of samples with low U and high common Pb (e.g. mafic and low-grade metamorphic rocks and ore deposits). Furthermore, apatite tends to incorporate little to no common Hf, allowing single grain ages to be calculated, which opens new doors for detrital provenance studies. In situ Lu-Hf dating of xenotime offers an additional avenue to U-Pb dating, and may be particularly beneficial to dating of rare earth element ore deposits that often have complex temporal records of development.

Automated summary

Lu-Hf geochronology is a powerful method for constraining the temporal evolution of geological systems, with traditional methods requiring time-consuming chemical separations and potentially losing the textural context of analysed minerals. In contrast, the in-situ approach offers rapid analysis with high spatial resolution, but is hindered by isobaric interferences of Yb-176 and Lu-176 on Hf-176.