Research for reference material or natural apatite for laser ablation in Fission Track Thermochronology or similar

• Grant number: 11/21296-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: April 01, 2013
• End date: October 14, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences - Geology
• Principal Investigator: Julio Cesar Hadler Neto
• Grantee: Cleber Jose Soares
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física Gleb Wataghin (IFGW). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 14/12249-6 - Comparison between different calibration procedures for fission-track dating based on LA-ICP-MS, BE.EP.PD

Abstract

Fission Track Thermochronology is based in accumulation of fission generated through passage of fragment due 238U spontaneous fission. With this it is possible the application of this technique in minerals whose uranium concentration is about some ppm. This isotope replaces the calcium atom in the chemical formula. Conventional FTT, sample is irradiated in a nuclear reactor, with aim of active 235U induced fission by thermal neutrons. However, a great problem in use the nuclear reactor is, among others, the waiting time for handling the samples, because the procedures as irradiation and transport of this material are relatively long. The expected time, considering particularities of each sample, is about 2-6 months.This aim of this work is make a thorough investigation for use mass spectrometer within FTT. We believe that is possible to obtain: 1) Determination of uranium standard which presents a sufficient characteristic for FTT application; 2). Study of matrix effect among samples that will be dated and the uranium standard, an important factor when laser ablation is used. 3). Using standard age as sample reference for efficiency study; 4). Make study of hq-value through annealing experiment; 5). Calibration of LA-ICP-MS through irradiated material using neutron absolute dosimeter; 6). Similar calibration, as presented for ¶-parameter. 7. Determination of ratio between uranium concentration and the element which presents stoichiometric relationship.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

SOARES, CLEBER J.; MERTZ-KRAUS, REGINA; GUEDES, SANDRO; STOCKLI, DANIEL F.; ZACK, THOMAS. Characterisation of Apatites as Potential Uranium Reference Materials for Fission-track Dating by LA-ICP-MS. GEOSTANDARDS AND GEOANALYTICAL RESEARCH, v. 39, n. 3, p. 305-313, SEP 2015. (11/21296-0)

SOARES, C. J.; GUEDES, S.; JONCKHEERE, R.; HADLER, J. C.; PASSARELLA, S. M.; DIAS, A. N. C.. Apatite fission-track analysis of Cretaceous alkaline rocks of Ponta Grossa and Alto Paranaiba Arches, Brazil. GEOLOGICAL JOURNAL, v. 51, n. 5, p. 805-810, SEP-OCT 2016. (11/21296-0)