Detrital zircon geochronology

Fig. 1 – Zircon grains in real life (Coin for scale)

Detrital zircon geochronology is the science of analyzing the age of zircons deposited within a specific sedimentary unit by examining their inherent radioisotopes, most commonly the uranium–lead ratio. Zircon is a common accessory or trace mineral constituent of most granite and felsic igneous rocks. Due to its hardness, durability and chemical inertness, zircon persists in sedimentary deposits and is a common constituent of most sands. Zircons contain trace amounts of uranium and thorium and can be dated using several modern analytical techniques.

Detrital zircon geochronology has become increasingly popular in geological studies from the 2000s mainly due to the advancement in radiometric dating techniques.[1][2] Detrital zircon age data can be used to constrain the maximum depositional age, determine provenance,[3] and reconstruct the tectonic setting on a regional scale.[4]

  1. ^ Davis, Donald W.; Williams, Ian S.; Krogh, Thomas E. (2003). Hanchar, J.M.; Hoskin, P.W.O. (eds.). "Historical development of U-Pb geochronology" (PDF). Zircon: Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry. 53: 145–181. doi:10.2113/0530145.
  2. ^ Kosler, J.; Sylvester, P.J. (2003). Hanchar, J.M.; Hoskin, P.W.O. (eds.). "Present trends and the future of zircon in U-Pb geochronology: laser ablation ICPMS". Zircon: Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry. 53 (1): 243–275. Bibcode:2003RvMG...53..243K. doi:10.2113/0530243.
  3. ^ Fedo, C. M.; Sircombe, K. N.; Rainbird, R. H. (2003). "Detrital zircon analysis of the sedimentary record". Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry. 53 (1): 277–303. Bibcode:2003RvMG...53..277F. doi:10.2113/0530277.
  4. ^ Cawood, P. A.; Hawkesworth, C. J.; Dhuime, B. (22 August 2012). "Detrital zircon record and tectonic setting". Geology. 40 (10): 875–878. Bibcode:2012Geo....40..875C. doi:10.1130/G32945.1. hdl:10023/3575.