Collaborative Research: Dating Sedimentary Sequences: In Situ U/Th-Pb Microprobe Dating of Early Diagenetic Monazite in Neoproterozoic Black Shales

这项研究将为直接测年沉积层序提供新的技术。这一概念的证据将来自于大峡谷新元古代黑色页岩的测年，方法是对岩化时间附近微生物过程沉淀的自生颗粒进行原位U/Th-Pb微探针测年。新技术将使电子束直径、计数率、背景回归、导电涂层、干扰校正和误差估计最小化。地质应用包括新元古代碳同位素漂移的精确测年。

This study will provide new technologies to directly date sedimentary sequences. Proof of the concept will come from dating Neoproterozoic black shales in Grand Canyon via in situ U/Th-Pb microprobe dating of authigenic grains that were precipitated by microbial processes near the time of lithification. New technologies will minimize electron beam diameter, count rate, background regression, conductive coating, interference correction, and error estimation. Geologic applications include precise dating of Neoproterozoic C-isotope excursions.