Zircon in situ U-Th-Pb geochronology, Hf and Nd isotopic systematics and trace element geochemistry with laser ablation ICP-MS and MC-ICP-MS: trends and applications

Zircon (ZrSiO4) is an accessory mineral in many continental rocks. For a multiplicity of reasons, zircon forms an ideal candidate for geochronology by the U-Th-Pb technique. It is also an extremely useful mineral in the assessment of petrogenesis of its host rocks. Together with many other applications, 'zirconology' has developed into a vast discipline. Some of the fascinating applications of zircon geochronology, isotopic and trace element geochemistry relevant to studies of lithospheric evolution in space and time shall be highlighted here. The focus will be on in situ analytical techniques using Laser Ablation Microprobe (LAM) coupled to an Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer with a quadrupole detector (ICP-MS) and Multi Collector (Magnetic sector) Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (MC-ICP-MS)