Publication Name: PESA News
Authors: Darwinaji Subarkah, Morgan L. Blades, Alan S. Collins, Juraj Farkas, Sarah Gilbert, Stefan C. Löhr, Ahmad Redaa, Eilidh Cassidy & Thomas Zack
Publication Issue: 164
Date Published: March 2022
Number of Pages: 6
https://doi.org/10.36404/HLZS1614
Abstract:
Authigenic components in marine sediments are important archives for past environment reconstructions. However, defining reliable age constraints and assessing the effects of post depositional overprints in Precambrian sequences are challenging. We demonstrate a new laserbased analytical approach that has the potential to rapidly and accurately evaluate the depositional and alteration histories of Proterozoic shales. Our study employs a novel application of in situ Rb-Sr dating coupled with simultaneous trace-element analysis using reaction-cell laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–tandem mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS/MS). We present results from shales sourced from two wells in the Proterozoic McArthur Basin, northern Australia. These rocks have been widely used by previous studies as a key section for ancient biogeochemical and paleoredox reconstructions.