Issue 4, 2025

Xenotime Xtm-NHBS: a natural reference material for microbeam U–Pb/Lu–Hf geochronology

Abstract

Xenotime is a common mineral found in various rock types, including magmatic, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. It is typically characterised by high uranium (U) and thorium (Th) content, with minimal common lead (Pb), making it an excellent candidate for U–Pb dating. However, the limited availability of well-characterised U–Pb xenotime reference materials (e.g., BS-1 and MG-1) has hindered its wide application in microanalysis. With the rapid advancements in laser ablation inductively coupled plasma tandem mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS/MS), the demand for xenotime reference materials, particularly for in situ Lu–Hf geochronology, has grown significantly. This study presents the characterisation and assessment of Xtm-NHBS xenotime as a potential primary U–Pb reference material for microanalysis. U–Pb isotopic analyses were performed using isotope dilution thermal ionisation mass spectrometry (ID-TIMS) and laser ablation quadrupole/sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-Q/SF-ICP-MS) to evaluate the homogeneity of gem-quality xenotime crystals. The ID-TIMS analysis yielded a 206Pb/238U age of 498.7 ± 0.4 Ma (2s, n = 5, MSWD = 0.99). The 206Pb/238U ages obtained via LA-Q/SF-ICP-MS across multiple analytical sessions were consistent with the ID-TIMS results, demonstrating homogeneity with ∼1% precision using in situ techniques. Additionally, the ages of BS-1, MG-1, and XN Datas can be reproduced by LA-SF-ICP-MS when calibrated against the Xtm-NHBS crystal as a primary reference material. Meanwhile, the Lu–Hf age of this crystal by LA-ICP-MS/MS is also presented in this study. The newly characterised natural Xtm-NHBS xenotime offers a significant contribution to advancing in situ U–Pb/Lu–Hf geochronology, enhancing both accuracy and precision in microanalytical applications.

Graphical abstract: Xenotime Xtm-NHBS: a natural reference material for microbeam U–Pb/Lu–Hf geochronology

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Technical Note
Submitted
13 Jan 2025
Accepted
03 Mar 2025
First published
04 Mar 2025

J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2025,40, 931-941

Xenotime Xtm-NHBS: a natural reference material for microbeam U–Pb/Lu–Hf geochronology

S. Zhang, Y. Yang, S. Wu, J. Tu, L. Xu, H. Wang, L. Xie, C. Huang, J. Yang and F. Wu, J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2025, 40, 931 DOI: 10.1039/D5JA00013K

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