TY - JOUR
T1 - Deformation-induced trace element redistribution in zircon revealed using atom probe tomography
AU - Piazolo, Sandra
AU - La Fontaine, Alexandre
AU - Trimby, Patrick
AU - Harley, Simon
AU - Yang, Limei
AU - Armstrong, Richard
AU - Cairney, Julie M.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2016, Nature Publishing Group. All rights reserved.
PY - 2016/2/12
Y1 - 2016/2/12
N2 - Trace elements diffuse negligible distances through the pristine crystal lattice in minerals: this is a fundamental assumption when using them to decipher geological processes. For example, the reliable use of the mineral zircon (ZrSiO4) as a U-Th-Pb geochronometer and trace element monitor requires minimal radiogenic isotope and trace element mobility. Here, using atom probe tomography, we document the effects of crystal-plastic deformation on atomic-scale elemental distributions in zircon revealing sub-micrometre-scale mechanisms of trace element mobility. Dislocations that move through the lattice accumulate U and other trace elements. Pipe diffusion along dislocation arrays connected to a chemical or structural sink results in continuous removal of selected elements (for example, Pb), even after deformation has ceased. However, in disconnected dislocations, trace elements remain locked. Our findings have important implications for the use of zircon as a geochronometer, and highlight the importance of deformation on trace element redistribution in minerals and engineering materials.
AB - Trace elements diffuse negligible distances through the pristine crystal lattice in minerals: this is a fundamental assumption when using them to decipher geological processes. For example, the reliable use of the mineral zircon (ZrSiO4) as a U-Th-Pb geochronometer and trace element monitor requires minimal radiogenic isotope and trace element mobility. Here, using atom probe tomography, we document the effects of crystal-plastic deformation on atomic-scale elemental distributions in zircon revealing sub-micrometre-scale mechanisms of trace element mobility. Dislocations that move through the lattice accumulate U and other trace elements. Pipe diffusion along dislocation arrays connected to a chemical or structural sink results in continuous removal of selected elements (for example, Pb), even after deformation has ceased. However, in disconnected dislocations, trace elements remain locked. Our findings have important implications for the use of zircon as a geochronometer, and highlight the importance of deformation on trace element redistribution in minerals and engineering materials.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84957999156&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1038/ncomms10490
DO - 10.1038/ncomms10490
M3 - Article
SN - 2041-1723
VL - 7
JO - Nature Communications
JF - Nature Communications
M1 - 10490
ER -