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

该研究将为沉积层序的直接测年提供新技术。这一概念的证明将来自大峡谷新元古代黑色页岩的定年，通过原位U/Th-Pb微探针对自生颗粒进行定年，这些颗粒是在岩化作用时期附近由微生物过程沉淀的。新技术将最小化电子束直径、计数率、背景回归、导电涂层、干涉校正和误差估计。地质应用包括新元古代c同位素漂移的精确定年。

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.