U-series isochron dating: A generalized method employing total-sample dissolution

Journal Article · Fri Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1991 · Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-7037(91)90012-T· OSTI ID:5394718

The age of a sedimentary deposit can be determined by measuring {sup 238}U, {sup 234}U, {sup 232}Th in two or more samples of the deposit, with the requirement that these samples have different U/Th ratios but an identical {sup 230}Th/{sup 232}Th ratio when deposited. This paper presents the theoretical and experimental aspects of the dating method. The latter involves techniques for securing samples of varied U/Th ratios from the same deposit, plotting isochrons of the radiochemical data (obtained on totally dissolved samples) for age analysis, and estimating the errors involved. Although applications to impure carbonates and lacustrine evaporite sediments are given as example in this paper, the methods potentially can be generalized for dating a variety of authigenic deposits such as rock varnish, peat, opal, sulfate minerals, and marine phosphorites.

• OSTI ID: 5394718
• Journal Information: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta; (United States), Journal Name: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta; (United States) Vol. 55:2; ISSN GCACA; ISSN 0016-7037
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

58 GEOSCIENCES
580000* -- Geosciences
ACTINIDE ISO
ACTINIDE ISOTOPES
ACTINIDE NUCLEI
AGE ESTIMATION
ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
CALCULATION METHODS
CARBONATE ROCKS
CENOZOIC ERA
DATA COVARIANCES
DISSOLUTION
EVAPORITES
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
GEOLOGIC AGES
HEAVY ION DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
HEAVY NUCLEI
ISOTOPE DATING
ISOTOPE RATIO
ISOTOPES
MAGNESIUM 28 DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
NEON 24 DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
NUCLEI
QUATERNARY PERIOD
RADIOISOTOPES
ROCKS
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
SPONTANEOUS FISSION RADIOISOTOPES
THORIUM 230
THORIUM 232
THORIUM ISOTOPES
URANIUM 234
URANIUM 238
URANIUM ISOTOPES
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES