Nu Instruments | High Precision Uranium-Thorium Geochronology Using MC-ICP-MS
This application note demonstrates high-precision uranium-thorium dating using the Nu Plasma II-ES MC-ICP-MS. The study highlights excellent sensitivity, improved measurement precision and successful application to geological samples spanning from recent formations to several hundred thousand years old.
U-Th geochronology is widely used to investigate climate history, cave formations and Earth surface processes over the past 600,000 years. The Nu Plasma II-ES combines high ionisation efficiency with advanced detector configurations to support highly precise isotope ratio measurements.
Two analytical routines were developed to address different sample age ranges. The first combines Faraday collectors and ion counting technology for younger samples, while the second uses an all-Faraday approach to improve precision for older materials approaching isotopic equilibrium.
Case studies from Brazil, Madagascar and Arctic cave systems demonstrated excellent reproducibility, agreement between laboratories and improved age resolution. The results confirm the suitability of the Nu Plasma II-ES for demanding geochronological research applications.
Key Takeaways:
- High sensitivity supports precise uranium and thorium isotope measurements.
- Flexible measurement routines optimise performance for different sample ages.
- Demonstrated reproducibility across multiple geological and climate studies.
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