Mineral inclusions in zircon domains and geological significance of SHRIMP U-Pb dating for coesite-bearing zircons of paragneiss in Sulu terrane, eastern China

Laser Raman spectroscopy and cathodoluminescence (CL) image reveal that zircons separated from paragneisses in the southwestern Sulu terrane (eastern China) preserve multi-stage mineral assemblages in different zircon domains. In the same paragneiss zircon sample, some zircon grains retain inherited (detrital) cores with abundant low-pressure mineral inclusions of Qtz + Phe + Ap + impurities and Qtz + Phe + impurities. The ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) metamorphic overgrowths mantles of these zircons preserve Coe, Coe + Phe and other UHP mineral inclusions, indicating that these inherited (detrital) zircons from protoliths experienced metamorphic recrystallization during the Sulu UHP metamorphic event. However, other zircon grains preserve UHP mineral inclusions of Coe, Coe + Ap and Coe + Phe in the cores and mantles, whereas the outmost rims contain quartz (Qtz) and other low-pressure mineral inclusions. These phenomena prove that the second group zircons were crystallized at UHP metamorphic stage and overprinted by the late retrogressive metamorphism related to the Sulu terrane exhumation. SHRIMP U-Pb dating reveals that zircons separated from the paragneisses recorded complicated geochronological traces. Some zircons retain inherited cores with the 206Pb/238U ages of 284-754 Ma, indicating the complexity of the detrital zircons in protoliths. Coesite-bearing zircon domains recorded 238-266 Ma (with the average age of 245(14 Ma) for the UHP metamorphic event. The retrogressive rims of zircons recorded 213-223 Ma (with the average age of 217(15 Ma) for the late-stage amphibolite facies metamorphic event, indicating that the rapid exhumation time for the Sulu UHP terrane is about 220 Ma.

Fluid inclusions hidden in coesite-bearing zircons in ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic rocks from southwestern Sulu terrane in eastern China

Primary fluid inclusions, together with coesite mineral inclusions, are identified in the same zircon domains by laser Raman spectroscopy, cathodoluminescence (CL) image and micro-texture analysis in paragneiss and eclogite from the main drilling hole of Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling Project in southwestern Sulu terrane. Most fluid inclusions are characterized by CO2 (gas)-H2O (liquid) two-phase, a few by H2O one-phase liquid inclusions. These features indicate that the eclogite and its country-rocks may be located in the wet system rather than in the dry sys-tem during UHP metamorphism. SHRIMP U-Pb dating indicates that the timing of trapping the fluid and coesite inclusions in metamorphic zircon domains is about 233.7 ± 4.3 Ma, which may represent the age of zircon growth in the stage of pressure decrease but temperature increase during the retrograde period of UHP metamorphism thus indicating the fluid activity still under the UHP conditions. The zircons further overgrew at about 213.2 ± 5.2 Ma in response to amphibolite-facies retrogression. Therefore, fluid activity in the Sulu UHP metamorphic rocks principally occurred dur-ing the exhumation of UHP slab in the Middle to Late Trias-sic. The present results not only provide insight into the fluid property and fluid-rock interaction mechanism in the Sulu-Dabie UHP terrane, but also present a new means to exactly identify the primary fluid inclusions preserved in zircons from the UHP metamorphic rocks.

Exoscopy of Detrital Zircons from Niamey Neoproterozoic Sandstones (Eastern Edge of the West African Craton, Southwestern Niger): Interpretation of Detrital Sediments Provenance

This study focuses on exoscopic analyses of detrital zircon grains of Archean and Paleoproterozoic age, contained in the sediments from the Niamey Neoproterozoic sandstones (Niamey region), with a view to confirming the sediments sources already proposed (Kénéma-Man domain for Archean-age zircons and Baoulé Mossi domain for Paleoproterozoic-age zircons). Exoscopic analysis reveals that Archean zircon grains are more corroded, with rounded to sub-rounded shapes, while Paleoproterozoic zircon grains are less corroded and mostly angular in shape. The strong corrosion of Archean zircon grains, implying long-distance transport, is consistent with the remoteness of the Kenema-Man domain which are the source these sediments. The fact that the Paleoproterozoic zircon grains show little or no wear implies a proximal source of sediments, corresponding to the Baoulé Mossi domain.

Mineral Chemistry,Trace Elements,Isotopic Analysis and Zircon U-Pb Dating in the Hesar Pluton,Northern UDMA,Iran:Implications for Pre-Collisional Magma Mixing

The Hesar pluton in the northern Urumieh-Dokhtar magmatic arc hosts numerous mafic-microgranular enclaves(MMEs).Whole rock geochemistry,mineral chemistry,zircon U-Pb and Sr-Nd isotopes were measured.It is suggested that the rocks are metaluminous(A/CNK=1.32-1.45),subduction-related I-type calc-alkaline gabbro to diorite with similar mineral assemblages and geochemical signatures.The host rocks yielded an U-Pb crystallization age of 37.3±0.4 Ma for gabbro-diorite.MMEs have relatively low SiO_(2) contents(52.9-56.6 wt%)and high Mg^(#)(49.8-58.7),probably reflecting a mantle-derived origin.Chondrite-and mantle-normalized trace element patterns are characterized by LREE and LILE enrichment,HREE and HFSE depletion with slight negative Eu anomalies(Eu/Eu^(*)=0.86-1.03).The host rocks yield(^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr)_(i) ratios of 0.70492-0.70510,positive ε_(Nd)(t)values of+1.55-+2.06 and T_(DM2)of 707-736 Ma,which is consistent with the associated mafic microgranular enclaves((^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr)_(i)=0.705014,ε_(Nd)(t)=+1.75,T_(DM2)=729 Ma).All data suggest magma-mixing for enclave and host rock formation,showing a complete equilibration between mixed-mafic and felsic magmas,followed by rapid diffusion.The T_(DM1)(Nd)and T_(DM2)(Nd)model ages and U-Pb dating indicate that the host pluton was produced by partial melting of the lower continental crust and subsequent mixing with injected lithospheric mantlederived magmas in a pre-collisional setting of Arabian-Eurasian plates.Clinopyroxene composition indicates a crystallization temperature of~1000℃ and a depth of~9 km.

Geochemistry, zircon U–Pb geochronology, and Hf isotopes of S-type granite in the Baoshan block, constraints on the age and evolution of the Proto-Tethys

Geochemistry, zircon U–Pb geochronology, and Hf isotope data for the Early Paleozoic granites in the Baoshan Block reveal the Early Paleozoic tectonic evolution of the Proto-Tethys. The samples are high-K, calcalkaline, strongly peraluminous rocks with A/CNK values of 1.37–1.46, are enriched in SiO2, K2O, and Rb, and are depleted in Nb, P, Ti, Eu, and heavy rare earth elements,which indicates the crystallization fractionation of the granitic magma. Zircon U–Pb dating indicates that they formed in ca. 480 Ma. The Nansa granites have εHf(t) values ranging from-16.04 to 4.36 with corresponding TC DMages of 2.10–0.81 Ga, which suggests the magmas derived from the partial melting of ancient metasedimentary with minor involvement of mantle-derived components. A synthesis of data for the Early Paleozoic igneous rocks in the Baoshan block and adjacent(Tengchong,Qiangtang, Sibumasu, Himalaya, etc.) blocks indicates that these blocks were all aligned along the proto-Tethyan margin of East Gondwana in the Early Paleozoic. The Early Paleozoic S-type granites from Nansa were generated in a high-temperature and low-pressure(HTLP) extensional tectonic setting, which resulted from Andean-type orogeny instead of the final assembly of Gondwana or crustal extension in a non-arc environment. In certain places, an expanding environment may exist in opposition to the tectonic backdrop of the lithosphere’s thickening and shortening, leading the crust to melt and decompress,mantle-derived materials to mix, and a small quantity of peraluminous granite to emerge.

U-Pb zircon geochronology of basaltic pyroclastic rocks from the basement beneath the Xisha Islands in the northwestern South China Sea and its geological significance

As one of the micro-blocks dispersed in the South China Sea(SCS), the basement of the Xisha Islands has rarely been drilled because of the thick overlying Cenozoic sediments, which has led to a confused understanding of the pre-Cenozoic basement of the Xisha Islands. Well CK-1, a kilometer-scale major scientific drill in the Xisha Islands in the northwestern SCS, penetrated thick reefal limestone(0–888.4 m) and the underlying basement rocks(888.4–901.4 m). In this study, we present the zircon U-Pb ages of basement basaltic pyroclastic rocks from Well CK-1 in the Xisha Islands of the northwestern SCS to investigate the basement nature of the Xisha microblock. The basement of Well CK-1 consists of basaltic pyroclastic rocks on the seamount. The zircon grains yielded apparent ages ranging from ca. 2 138.9 Ma to ca. 36 Ma. The old group of zircon grains from Well CK-1 was considered to be inherited zircons. Two Cenozoic zircons gave a weighted mean 206Pb/238U age of(36.3 ± 1.1) Ma,Mean Squared Weighted Deviations(MSWD) = 1.2, which may represent the maximum age of the volcano eruption. The Yanshanian inherited zircons(116.9–105.7 Ma and 146.1–130.2 Ma) from Well CK-1 are consistent with the zircons from Well XK-1, indicating that the basement of Chenhang Island may be similar to that of Well XK-1. We propose that the Xisha micro-block may have developed on a uniform Late Jurassic metamorphic crystalline basement, intruded by Cretaceous granitic magma.

Garnet and Zircon U-Pb Geochronology and Geochemistry Reveal Genesis of the Dafang Au-Pb-Zn-Ag Deposit,Southern Hunan

Garnet is a primary mineral in skarn deposits and plays a significant role in recording copious mineralization and metallogenic information.This study systematically investigates the geochemistry and geochronology of garnet and zircon in the Dafang Au-Pb-Zn-Ag deposit,which represents prominent gold mineralization in southern Hunan,China.Garnet samples with distinct zoning patterns and compositional variations were identified using various analytical techniques,including Backscattered Electron(BSE)imaging,Cathodoluminescence(CL)response,textural characterization,and analysis of rare-earth elements(REE),major contents,and trace element compositions.The garnet was dated U-Pb dating,which yielded a lower intercept age of 161.06±1.93 Ma.This age is older than the underlying granodiorite porphyry,which has a concordia age of 155.13±0.95 Ma determined by zircon U-Pb dating.These results suggest that the gold mineralization may be related to the concealed granite.Two groups of garnet changed from depleted Al garnet to enriched Al garnet,and the rare earth element(REE)patterns of these groups were converted from light REE(LREE)-enriched and heavy REE(HREE)-depleted with positive europium(Eu)anomalies to medium REE(MREE)-enriched from core to rim zoning.The different REE patterns of garnet in various zones may be attributed to changes in the fluid environment and late superposition alteration.The development of distal skarn in the southern Hunan could be a significant indicator for identifying gold mineralization.

Improvement strategy on thermophysical properties of A_(2)B_(2)O_(7)-type rare earth zirconates for thermal barrier coatings applications:A review

The A_(2)B_(2)O_(7)-type rare earth zirconate compounds have been considered as promising candidates for thermal barrier coating(TBC) materials because of their low sintering rate,improved phase stability,and reduced thermal conductivity in contrast with the currently used yttria-partially stabilized zirconia (YSZ) in high operating temperature environments.This review summarizes the recent progress on rare earth zirconates for TBCs that insulate high-temperature gas from hot-section components in gas turbines.Based on the first principles,molecular dynamics,and new data-driven calculation approaches,doping and high-entropy strategies have now been adopted in advanced TBC materials design.In this paper,the solid-state heat transfer mechanism of TBCs is explained from two aspects,including heat conduction over the full operating temperature range and thermal radiation at medium and high temperature.This paper also provides new insights into design considerations of adaptive TBC materials,and the challenges and potential breakthroughs are further highlighted for extreme environmental applications.Strategies for improving thermophysical performance are proposed in two approaches:defect engineering and material compositing.

Effect of Zircon Addition on Properties of Corundum Porous Materials

This paper aims to improve the corrosion resistance of dispersive purging plugs.White fused corundum particles and fine powder,α-Al_(2)O_(3) micropowder,Cr_(2)O_(3) micropowder,Guangxi clay and zircon powder were used as the main raw materials.The mass ratio of white fused corundum particles and fine powder was fixed at 85:15,and 0,1%,2%,or 3%(by mass)of zircon fine powder was added to replace the same amount of white fused corundum fine powder.The corundum porous material was prepared by the particle stacking pore-forming method at 1650℃for 3 h.The effect of the zircon addition on the properties and microstructure of porous materials was investigated.The results show that:after adding zircon,the permeability of the porous material increases,the cold and hot strengths increase obviously,and the expansion rate after firing decreases.When the addition of zircon is 2%,the comprehensive performance of the specimen is optimal with the smallest linear change rate and the highest permeability.

Polymetamorphism of the ultrahigh-temperature granulites in the Rauer Group,East Antarctica:new evidence from zircon SHRIMP U-Pb ages

The Rauer Group is located on the eastern margin of the early Paleozoic Prydz Belt in East Antarctica,and the typical ultrahigh-temperature(UHT,>900℃)granulites outcrop on Mather Peninsula.However,the timing of UHT metamorphism and P–T path of the UHT granulites have long been debated,which is critical to understanding the tectonic nature and evolution history of the Prydz Belt.Thus,both a sapphirine-bearing UHT metapelitic granulite and a garnet-bearing UHT mafic granulite are selected for zircon SHRIMP U-Pb age dating.The results show that metamorphic zircon mantles yield weighted mean^(206)Pb/^(238)U ages of 918±29 Ma and 901±29 Ma for the metapelitic and mafic granulites,respectively,while zircon rims and newly grown zircons yield weighted mean^(206)Pb/^(238)U ages of 523±9 Ma and 532±11 Ma,respectively.These new zircon age data suggest that the UHT granulites may have experienced polymetamorphism,in which pre-peak prograde stage occurred in the early Neoproterozoic Grenvillian orogenesis(1000–900 Ma),whereas the UHT metamorphism occurred in the late Neoproterozoic to early Paleozoic Pan-African orogenesis(580–460 Ma).This implies that P–T path of the UHT granulites should consist of two separate high-grade metamorphic events including the Grenvillian and Pan-African events,which are supposed to be related to assembly of Rodinia and Gondwana supercontinents respectively,and hence the overprinting UHT metamorphic event may actually reflect an important intracontinental reworking.

The Dabieshan Coesite-bearing Eclogite Terrain-A Late Archaean Ultra - high- Pressure Metamorphic Belt

A U -Pb zircon age of 2774±24 Ma for eclogite from the Bixiling rock body of Anhui Province, central China, indicates that the Dabieshan coesite-bearing eclogite was probably formed in the Late Archaean. A phengite Ar-Ar isochron age of 662±13 Ma for the eclogite confines also an upper limit age of its subsequent retrograde metamorphism in the Precambrian. The results of isotopic dating for such type of eclogite coincide with the geological features of its restricted occurrence within the Archaean metamaorphic terrain composed of the Dabie Group. It is believed that the Dabieshan coesite-bearing eclogite terrain might be a Late Archaean ultra-high-pressure metamorphic belt. The Dabie Mountains area was the eastward extension of the southern Qinling structural belt during the Triassic. Both the Dabie Group and the coesite-bearing eclogite hosted therein underwent a late-stage dynamic metamorphic event. The present authors have obtained a muscovite Ar-Ar isochron age of 192.6±2.8 Ma from plagioclase gneiss and a hornblende Ar-Ar plateau age of 230.7±4.6 Ma for the low amphibolite in eclogite respectively, which represent the Indosinian reworking ages of the original metamorphic rocks of the Dabie Group gneiss and coesite-bearing eclogite.

SHRIMP zircon U-Pb age and O isotopic analysis of the dunite from Kudi ophiolite in the West Kunlun,China

1.Objective The West Kunlun in Xinjiang is located on the northwestern margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau(Fig.1a)and at the junction of the Paleo-Asian tectonic domain and the Tethys tectonic domain.It serves as an important area for the study on the geologic evolution of the Karakorum-West Kunlun due to its special tectonic position.

Detrital Zircon Records of the Banxi Group in the Western Jiangnan Orogen:Implications for Crustal Evolution of the South China Craton

The Neoproterozoic evolution of the Jiangnan Orogen is important for understanding the tectonic history of South China.As a volcanic-sedimentary sequence developed in the Nanhua rift,the Banxi Group preserves the records of important magmatic and tectonic events linked to the assembly and breakup of the Rodinia supercontinent.In this study,we report the results from whole-rock major-and trace-element concentrations,with zircon LA-(MC)-ICP-MS U-Pb ages,trace elements and Lu-Hf isotopic compositions of sandstones from the Banxi Group.The rocks are characterized by high SiO_(2)(65.88%–82.76%,with an average of 75.50%)contents,moderate(Fe_(2)O_(3)^(T)+MgO)(1.81%–7.78%,mean:3.79%)and TiO_(2)(0.39%–0.54%,mean:0.48%),low K_(2)O/Na_(2)O(0.03–0.40,mean:0.10)ratios and low Al_2O_(3)/SiO_(2)(0.11–0.24,mean:0.15)ratios.The sandstones have highΣREE contents(mean:179.1 ppm),with chondrite-normalized REE patterns similar to the upper crust and PAAS,showing enriched LREE((La/Yb)_N mean:14.85),sub-horizontal HREE curves and mild Eu(Eu/Eu^(*):0.75–0.89,mean:0.81)negative anomalies.Their geochemical characteristics resemble those of passive continental margin sandstones.Most of the zircons are magmatic in origin and yield a U-Pb age distribution with three peaks:a major age peak at 805 Ma and two subordinate age peaks at 1990 Ma and 2470 Ma,implying three major magmatic sources.The Neoproterozoic zircons haveε_(Hf)(t)values ranging from-47.4 to 12.4(mostly-20 to 0),suggesting a mixture of some juvenile arc-derived material and middle Paleoproterozoic heterogeneous crustal sources.The Hf model ages of middle Paleoproterozoic zircons(~1990 Ma)with negativeε_(Hf)(t)values(-12.65 to-6.21,Ave.=-9.8)concentrated around the Meso-Paleoarchean(mean T_(DM)^(C)=3.3–3.1 Ga).For late Neoarchean detrital zircons(~2470 Ma),ε_(Hf)(t)values are divided into two groups,one with negative values(-9.16 to-0.6)with model ages of 3.5–2.9 Ga,the other featuring positive values(1.0 to 3.9)with model ages of 2.9–2.7 Ga,recording a crustal growth event at~2.5 Ga.Neoproterozoic zircons show volcanic arc affinities with partly intraplate magmatic features.We propose that the Banxi Group formed in a rift basin within a passive continental margin setting,which derived detritus from felsic to intermediate rocks from the Yangtze Block and a small amount of arc volcanic rocks.The middle Paleoproterozoic detrital zircon data suggest Columbia-aged basement lies beneath the western Jiangnan orogen.

Report of 2.7 Ga zircon U-Pb age of orthogneiss in the Wenquan metamorphic complex,West Tianshan,China

1.Objective The Wenquan Group is one of the important medium-to low-grade metamorphic units within the Wenquan metamorphic complexes which distributes in Chinese segment of the Tianshan Belt,the southern part of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt.It mainly consists of pre-Neoproterozoic metamorphosed volcanic and sedimentary rocks(Wang B et al.,2014).

Formation Depth of Coesite-Bearing Eclogite,Dabie UHPM Zone,China

The plastic deformation of garnet in coesite bearing eclogite, quartz eclogite and garnet amphibolite of the UHPM complex in Yingshan County in the Dabie Mountains has been studied. The stress generated by the strong tectonic movement was an important component of the total pressure that resulted in the formation of the eclogite in the Dabie UHPM zone. The three dimensional tectonic principal stresses and additional tectonic stress induced hydrostatic pressure [ p s=( σ 1+ σ 2+ σ 3)/3] are reconstructed according to the differential stress and the strain ratio ( α ) of the garnet in the minor coesite bearing eclogite of the Yingshan County. Then the gravity induced hydrostatic pressure ( p g) is calculated following the equation p minus p s, where p is estimated to be 2.8 GPa based on the quartz coesite geobarmeter. Therefore, the thickness of the rock column overlying the coesite bearing eclogite in the Ying shan County is determined ≥32 km. This estimation, significantly different from ≥100 km, the previous one obtained solely based on the weight/specific weight ratio (W/SW), offers a proper explanation for the puzzle that no tracer of the addition of mantle derived material has been found in the Dabie UHPM zone during the process of UHPM, although a number of researchers claim that this process took place at the depth of the mantle (≥100 km). It is concluded that attention should be paid to the additional tectonic stress induced hydrostatic pressure in the study of UHPM zones.

Zircon SHRIMP U–Pb geochronology,geochemistry,and geological significance of dacite in the Zhesang gold district,southeast Yunnan Province,China

The Late Paleozoic and Mesozoic tectonic framework of the Nanpanjiang Basin has much been disputed.Herein,the middle-acid volcanic rock,dacite,exposed to the Zhesang gold district,southeast Yunnan Province,has been analyzed.The results show that the dacite belongs to a calc-alkaline series,SiO_(2)contents range from 62.79 to 76.66 wt%.Zircon SHRIMP U–Pb dating of dacite demonstrates that they were formed in the Early Triassic(247.8±1.7 Ma,MSWD=1.2).All samples exhibit enrichment in LILE(e.g.Rb,K,Th,and U),and depletion in HFSE(e.g.Nb,Ta,and Ti),which has the geochemical affinity of I-type granite.La–La/Sm and La–La/Yb discrimination diagrams show that the partial melting,mainly of the mafic lower crust,of rocks,plays a major role in the formation process.The dacite has low initial ^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr ratios(0.706954 to 0.708589)and negative ε_(Nd)(t)values(-11.77 to-10.88).Zircons in dacite have ε_(Hf)(t)values of-16.2 to-8.3,and the two-stage Hf model ages are 1799–2301 Ma,mostly concentrated between 1800 and 1900 Ma,indicating that the magma source area is the reconstructed ancient lower crust mixed with some mantle materials,and crystal fractionation process underwent in the late stage of magma migration.This study reveals that the arc-volcanic rocks of the Early Triassic in the southern margin of the Nanpanjiang Basin were formed by the subduction of the Late Paleozoic ocean basin within the border region between China and Vietnam.

Discovery of~2.5 Ga zircon U-Pb age from the diabase,Ar Horqin Banner Area,Inner Mongolia:Implications for Neoarchean crystalline basement of Bainaimiao Arc Belt

1.Objective The Bainaimiao Arc Belt(BAB),one of the most important units of the southeastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt(CAOB),locates along the northern margin of the North China Craton(NCC).There is a lack of understanding on the existence,scale,and affinity of the crystalline basement of the BAB.Based on the recent geochronologic studies.

Europium anomalies in detrital zircons reveal the crustal thickness evolution of South China in Early Neoproterozoic

The South China Block(SCB)is formed by the amalgamation of the Yangtze and Cathaysia blocks during the Early Neoproterozoic along the Jiangnan Orogen.However,the precise amalgamation time of these two blocks and the location of the united SCB in the Rodinia supercontinent remain highly debatable.Various tectonic models have been proposed and they may have different implications for the crustal thickness evolution of the central SCB in Early Neoproterozoic.To evaluate these models,this paper uses a recently calibrated Eu/Eu*-inzircon proxy to reconstruct crustal thickness evolution of the central SCB during Early Neoproterozoic.I compiled and screened U–Pb ages and trace elements of 900–700 Ma detrital zircons from the central SCB and then calculated the zircon Eu/Eu*values.The age-binned average zircon Eu/Eu*displays a decreasing trend from 870 to 790 Ma,and thus indicates no significant crustal thickening event occurred during this time interval.This finding seems to be inconsistent with tectonic models that the Yangtze and Cathaysia blocks amalgamated during this time interval.Yet,given that available coupled detrital zircon U–Pb and trace element datasets are very limited,additional studies are warranted to further evaluate this hypothesis.

Preparation of ZrB_(2)-ZrO_(2)-SiC Composite Powder by Carbothermal Reduction from Zircon

Using zircon,boric acid and carbon black as starting materials,ZrB_(2)-ZrO_(2)-SiC composite powder was synthesized by calcining at 1500℃in flowing argon atmosphere.The effects of the soaking time(3,6 and 9 h)and the addition of additive AlF_(3)(0,0.5%,1.0%,1.5%,2.0%and 2.5%,by mass)on the phase composition and the microstructure of the synthesized products were investigated.The results show that:(1)ZrB_(2)-ZrO_(2)-SiC composite powder can be synthesized by carbothermal reduction at 1500℃in flowing argon atmosphere;ZrB_(2) and ZrO_(2) are granular-like,and SiC crystals are fiberous;(2)with the soaking time increasing,the amount of ZrB_(2) increases,the amounts of m-ZrO_(2) and SiC decrease,and the total amount of non-oxides ZrB_(2),SiC and ZrC gradually increases;the optimal soaking time is 3 h;(3)compared with the sample without AlF_(3),the sample with 0.5% AlF_(3) has decreased m-ZrO_(2)amount,noticeably increased ZrB_(2) amount but decreased SiC amount;however,when the addition of AlF_(3) increases from 0.5%to 2.5%,the m-ZrO_(2) amount increases,the ZrB_(2)amount decreases,and the SiC amount changes slightly;the optimum AlF_(3)addition is 0.5%.

Quantification of radiation damage in natural and synthetic zircon by Raman spectroscopy:application to low-temperature thermochronology

Due to its ubiquitous occurrence in igneous,metamorphic,and sedimentary rocks and its wide application in geochronology and geochemistry,zircon has become the most widely used accessory mineral in the geological community.Nevertheless,the decay of U and Th causes radiation damage to the zircon structure,resulting in various degrees of metamictization,which can affect the accuracy of U–Pb dates and Hf and O isotope results.If the degree of zircon radiation damage can be quantified,the influence on geochemical analyses can be evaluated,and the results can be corrected more precisely.In this paper,synthetic and natural zircon crystals with different crystallization ages were selected for Raman spectroscopy analysis,cathodoluminescence imaging,and determination of the U and Th concentrations.The results show that Raman FWHM(full width at half bandmaximum)and Raman shift correlate with alpha dose(Da)ofzirconsfollowingtheseequations,FWHM=44.36(±2.32)×[1-exp(-2.74×Da)]-+1.7(±0.19),Raman Shift=-6.53×Da+1007.69.Analysis of synthetic zircon crystals shows that doped REEs(rare earth elements and P)can also lead to an increase in the FWHM.However,this effect can be ignored for natural zircon samples with REE contents at a normal level of hundreds to a few thousand ppm.The FWHM and Raman shift can be used as proxies to measure the degree of zircon radiation damage.Using the updated equations to calculate the latest age when zircon began to accumulate radiation damage,a more accurate and more meaningful“radiation damage age”can be obtained.