The first topic to be treated concerns in situ Hf isotopic measurements in zircon by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. This is an extremely powerful and promising technique that has been adopted by many laboratories throughout the world. However, if insufficient care is taken during analysis and data processing, inaccurate results can be obtained, notably because of the existence of very large isobaric interferences on the isotope of interest. To address this issue, we have asked Christopher Fisher, Jeffery Vervoort and John Hanchar to provide a set of guidelines that can be adopted to assure that reliable Hf isotopic data are obtained by this technique.
Abstract
Over the past decade, the Hf isotope composition of zircon, as determined in situ by laser ablation-multicollector-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-MC-ICPMS), has been applied increasingly to a wide range of geological problems and has proven to be a valuable analytical tool. There has been no uniformity, however, in the reporting of in situ Hf isotopic data and, quite often, reviewers and readers of papers are not provided with sufficient information to assess data quality. The goal of this invited contribution is to provide the non-specialist with a brief outline and explanation of what is required for proper presentation and documentation of in situ Hf isotopic data from zircon, including details of how the challenging large isobaric interference corrections have been made. In addition, we discuss a number of potential pitfalls vis-脿-vis the assignment of the incorrect age to the measured Hf isotope composition. Non-specialists should be aware of these important issues when doing their own analyses and evaluating the analyses done by others.