SpringerLink
Log in

Improvement of in situ LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating method for carbonate minerals and its application in petroleum geology

  • Article
  • Published:
Science China Earth Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In situ carbonate U-Pb dating is gaining popularity, and it has great potential for application in petroleum geology. However, the low U content (<10 µg/g) and high common Pb content of carbonate minerals, along with the uneven distribution of U and Pb and the lack of matrix-matched reference material make carbonate U-Pb dating inaccurate and less successful, which limits the widespread application in geosciences. This study evaluated the limitations of in situ carbonate U-Pb dating and proposed a method to rationally determine the laser ablation parameters of samples by improving the experimental approach based on the laser ablation sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-SF-ICP-MS). By setting a different spot size and laser frequency for the reference material and unknown samples in the same session based on the U content of the sample, the ablation craters of the reference material and unknown samples were given the same depth/width ratio, avoiding systematic offset caused by differences in down-hole element fractionation and reducing the consume of reference material. Depending on the heterogeneous distribution of U and Pb contents in carbonate minerals, the method of grid screening and setting ablation spots during screening were used to quickly select domains with high U and low common Pb, which improves the efficiency of setting laser spots and the success rate of dating, as well as reduces the experimental time and economic cost. The accuracy and success rate of carbonate U-Pb dating were effectively improved by improving the experimental method, and the technique was applied to two carbonate samples with low U and high common Pb contents that were difficult to date by traditional methods. The two samples are the saddle dolomite in the central Sichuan Basin and the calcite cement in the sandstone reservoir of the Cretaceous Qingshuihe Formation in the South Junggar Basin. The robust ages have been obtained, which constrains the timing of the diagenetic and hydrocarbon accumulation process in the studied area.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price includes VAT (Germany)

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Allen C M, Campbell I H. 2012. Identification and elimination of a matrix-induced systematic error in LA-ICP-MS 206Pb/238 U dating of zircon. Chem Geol, 332–333: 157–165

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cheng T, Zhao J, Feng Y, Pan W, Liu D. 2020. In-situ LA-MC-ICPMS U-Pb dating method for low-uranium carbonate minerals. Chin Sci Bull, 65: 150–154

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burisch M, Gerdes A, Walter B F, Neumann U, Fettel M, Markl G. 2017. Methane and the origin of five-element veins: Mineralogy, age, fluid inclusion chemistry and ore forming processes in the Odenwald, SW Germany. Ore Geol Rev, 81: 42–61

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Drost K, Chew D, Petrus J A, Scholze F, Woodhead J D, Schneider J W, Harper D A T. 2018. An image map** approach to U-Pb LA-ICP-MS carbonate dating and applications to direct dating of carbonate sedimentation. Geochem Geophys Geosyst, 19: 4631–4648

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Du J H, Zhi D G, Li J Z, Yang D S, Tang Y, Qi X F, **ao L X, Wei L Y. 2019. Major breakthrough of Well Gaotan 1 and exploration prospects of lower assemblage in southern margin of Junggar Basin, NW China (in Chinese). Petrol Explor Dev, 46: 205–215

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elisha B, Nuriel P, Kylander-Clark A, Weinberger R. 2021. Towards in situ U-Pb dating of dolomite. Geochronology, 3: 337–349

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goodfellow B W, Viola G, Bingen B, Nuriel P, Kylander-Clark A R C. 2017. Palaeocene faulting in SE Sweden from U-Pb dating of slick-enfibre calcite. Terra Nova, 29: 321–328

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guillong M, Wotzlaw J F, Looser N, Laurent O. 2020. Evaluating the reliability of U-Pb laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) carbonate geochronology: Matrix issues and a potential calcite validation reference material. Geochronology, 2: 155–167

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hansman R J, Albert R, Gerdes A, Ring U. 2018. Absolute ages of multiple generations of brittle structures by U-Pb dating of calcite. Geology, 46: 207–210

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • He H Q, Zhi D M, Lei D W, Yang D S, **ao L X, Yuan B, Qi X F, Zhao J Y. 2019. Strategic breakthrough in Gaoquan anticline and exploration assessment on lower assemblage in the southern margin of Junggar Basin (in Chinese). China Petrol Explor, 24: 137–146

    Google Scholar 

  • Hill C A, Polyak V J, Asmerom Y, Provencio P P. 2016. Constraints on a Late Cretaceous uplift, denudation, and incision of the Grand Canyon region, southwestern Colorado Plateau, USA, from U-Pb dating of lacustrine limestone. Tectonics, 35: 896–906

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holdsworth R E, McCaffrey K J W, Dempsey E, Roberts N M W, Hardman K, Morton A, Feely M, Hunt J, Conway A, Robertson A. 2019. Natural fracture prop** and earthquake-induced oil migration in fractured basement reservoirs. Geology, 47: 700–704

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Horn I, Rudnick R L, McDonough W F. 2000. Precise elemental and isotope ratio determination by simultaneous solution nebulization and laser ablation-ICP-MS: Application to U-Pb geochronology. Chem Geol, 164: 281–301

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hu Z, Liu Y, Chen L, Zhou L, Li M, Zong K, Zhu L, Gao S. 2011. Contrasting matrix induced elemental fractionation in NIST SRM and rock glasses during laser ablation ICP-MS analysis at high spatial resolution. J Anal At Spectrom, 26: 425–430

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jahn B, Cuvellier H. 1994. Pb-Pb and U-Pb geochronology of carbonate rocks: An assessment. Chem Geol, 115: 125–151

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jiang Y, Tao Y, Gu Y, Wang J, Qiang Z, Jiang N, Lin G, Jiang C. 2016. Hydrothermal dolomitization in Dengying Formation, Gaoshiti-Moxi area, Sichuan Basin, SW China. Pet Explor Dev, 43: 54–64

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li Q, Parrish R R, Horstwood M S A, McArthur J M. 2014. U-Pb dating of cements in Mesozoic ammonites. Chem Geol, 376: 76–83

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu E T, Zhao J X, Pan S Q, Yan D T, Lu J, Hao S B, Gong Y, Zou K. 2019. A new technology of basin fluid geochronology: In-situ U-Pb dating of calcite (in Chinese). Earth Sci, 44: 698–712

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu D, Cai C, Hu Y, Peng Y, Jiang L. 2021. Multistage dolomitization and formation of ultra-deep Lower Cambrian Longwangmiao Formation reservoir in central Sichuan Basin, China. Mar Pet Geol, 123: 104752

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu H, Ma T, Tan X, Zeng W, Hu G, **ao D, Luo B, Shan S, Su C. 2016. Origin of structurally controlled hydrothermal dolomite in epigenetic karst system during shallow burial: An example from Middle Permian Maokou Formation, central Sichuan Basin, SW China. Pet Explor Dev, 43: 1000–1012

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lu X S, Zhang F Q, Zhao M G, Zhuo Q G, Gui L L, Yu Z C, Liu Q. 2021. Genesis of overpressure and sealing ability of caprocks in Well Gaotan 1 in the southern margin of Junggar Basin (in Chinese). **njiang Petrol Geol, 42: 666–675

    Google Scholar 

  • Lu X S, Zhao M J, Zhang F Q, Gui L L, Liu G, Zhuo Q G, Chen Z X. 2022. Characteristics, origin and controlling effects on hydrocarbon accumulation of overpressure in foreland thrust belt of southern margin of Junggar Basin, NW China (in Chinese). Petrol Explor Dev, 49: 859–870

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mank A J G, Mason P R D. 1999. A critical assessment of laser ablation ICP-MS as an analytical tool for depth analysis in silica-based glass samples. J Anal At Spectrom, 14: 1143–1153

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marillo-Sialer E, Woodhead J, Hergt J, Greig A, Guillong M, Gleadow A, Evans N, Paton C. 2014. The zircon ‘matrix effect’: Evidence for an ablation rate control on the accuracy of U-Pb age determinations by LA-ICP-MS. J Anal At Spectrom, 29: 981–989

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marillo-Sialer E, Woodhead J, Hanchar J M, Reddy S M, Greig A, Hergt J, Kohn B. 2016. An investigation of the laser-induced zircon ‘matrix effect’. Chem Geol, 438: 11–24

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Montano D, Gasparrini M, Gerdes A, Della Porta G, Albert R. 2021. In-situ U-Pb dating of Ries Crater lacustrine carbonates (Miocene, South-West Germany): Implications for continental carbonate chronostratigraphy. Earth Planet Sci Lett, 568: 117011

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moorbath S, Taylor P N, Orpen J L, Treloar P, Wilson J F. 1987. First direct radiometric dating of Archaean stromatolitic limestone. Nature, 326: 865–867

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nuriel P, Craddock J, Kylander-Clark A R C, Uysal I T, Karabacak V, Dirik R K, Hacker B R, Weinberger R. 2019. Reactivation history of the North Anatolian fault zone based on calcite age-strain analyses. Geology, 47: 465–469

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nuriel P, Wotzlaw J F, Ovtcharova M, Vaks A, Stremtan C, Šala M, Roberts N M W, Kylander-Clark A R C. 2021. The use of ASH-15 flowstone as a matrix-matched reference material for laser-ablation U-Pb geochronology of calcite. Geochronology, 3: 35–47

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pan L, Shen A, Zhao J, Hu A, Hao Y, Liang F, Feng Y, Wang X, Jiang L. 2020. LA-ICP-MS U-Pb geochronology and clumped isotope constraints on the formation and evolution of an ancient dolomite reservoir: The Middle Permian of northwest Sichuan Basin (SW China). Sediment Geol, 407: 105728

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Parrish R R, Parrish C M, Lasalle S. 2018. Vein calcite dating reveals Pyrenean orogen as cause of Paleogene deformation in southern England. J Geol Soc, 175: 425–442

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rasbury E T, Present T M, Northrup P, Tappero R V, Lanzirotti A, Cole J M, Wooton K M, Hatton K. 2021. Tools for uranium characterization in carbonate samples: Case studies of natural U-Pb geochronology reference materials. Geochronology, 3: 103–122

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roberts N M W, Drost K, Horstwood M S A, Condon D J, Chew D, Drake H, Milodowski A E, McLean N M, Smye A J, Walker R J, Haslam R, Hodson K, Imber J, Beaudoin N, Lee J K. 2020. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) U-Pb carbonate geochronology: Strategies, progress, and limitations. Geochronology, 2: 33–61

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roberts N M W, Rasbury E T, Parrish R R, Smith C J, Horstwood M S A, Condon D J. 2017. A calcite reference material for LA-ICP-MS U-Pb geochronology. Geochem Geophys Geosyst, 18: 2807–2814

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roberts N M W, Walker R J. 2016. U-Pb geochronology of calcite-mineralized faults: Absolute timing of rift-related fault events on the northeast Atlantic margin. Geology, 44: 531–534

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rochelle-Bates N, Roberts N M W, Sharp I, Freitag U, Verwer K, Halton A, Fiordalisi E, van Dongen B E, Swart R, Ferreira C H, Dixon R, Schröder S. 2021. Geochronology of volcanically associated hydrocarbon charge in the pre-salt carbonates of the Namibe Basin, Angola. Geology, 49: 335–340

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shen A, Hu A, Cheng T, Liang F, Pan W, Feng Y, Zhao J. 2019. Laser ablation in situ U-Pb dating and its application to diagenesis-porosity evolution of carbonate reservoirs. Pet Explor Dev, 46: 1127–1140

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith P E, Farquhar R M, Hancock R G. 1991. Direct radiometric age determination of carbonate diagenesis using U-Pb in secondary calcite. Earth Planet Sci Lett, 105: 474–491

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Su A, Chen H, Feng Y, Zhao J, Wang Z, Hu M, Jiang H, Duc Nguyen A. 2022. In situ U-Pb dating and geochemical characterization of multistage dolomite cementation in the Ediacaran Dengying Formation, Central Sichuan Basin, China: Constraints on diagenetic, hydrothermal and paleo-oil filling events. Precambrian Res, 368: 106481

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Su A, Chen H, Feng Y, Zhao J, Nguyen A D, Wang Z, Long X. 2020. Dating and characterizing primary gas accumulation in Precambrian dolomite reservoirs, central Sichuan Basin, China: Insights from pyrobitumen Re-Os and dolomite U-Pb geochronology. Precambrian Res, 350: 105897

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Woodhead J, Hellstrom J, Maas R, Drysdale R, Zanchetta G, Devine P, Taylor E. 2006. U-Pb geochronology of speleothems by MC-ICPMS. Quat Geochronol, 1: 208–221

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu S, Yang Y, Roberts N M W, Yang M, Wang H, Lan Z, **e B, Li T, Xu L, Huang C, **e L, Yang J, Wu F. 2022. In situ calcite U-Pb geochronology by high-sensitivity single-collector LA-SF-ICP-MS. Sci China Earth Sci, 65: 1146–1160

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang P, Wu G, Nuriel P, Nguyen A D, Chen Y, Yang S, Feng Y, Ren Z, Zhao J. 2021. In situ LA-ICPMS U Pb dating and geochemical characterization of fault-zone calcite in the central Tarim Basin, northwest China: Implications for fluid circulation and fault reactivation. Chem Geol, 568: 120125

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang L, Zhu D, Yang Y, Wang Q, **e J, Zhao Z. 2021. U-Pb geochronology of carbonate by Laser Ablation MC-ICP-MS: Method improvements and geological applications. Atom Spectrosc, 42: 335–348

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Yann LAHAYE and Xuan LIU of the Geological Survey of Finland (GTK) for sharing WC-1 and to Anton VAKS of the Geological Survey of Israel for providing ASH-15D reference material. We would also like to thank Marcel GUILLONG of ETH Zurich, Switzerland, and Nick M. W. ROBERTS of the British Geological Survey for their help and guidance on experimental methods, and the Shanghai Chemlab Instrument Co., Ltd. and Createch Testing (Tian**) Technology Co., Ltd. for their technical support. This work was supported by the Scientific Research and Technological Development Project of China National Petroleum Corporation (Grant Nos. 2021DJ0105, 2021DJ0203, 2021DJ0303) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 42172164, 42002177).

Author information

Author notes

  1. These authors contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development, Bei**g, 100083, China

    Xuesong Lu, Lili Gui, Weiyan Chen, Shaobo Liu, Junjia Fan, Qiang Liu, Wenxia Yang & Rizhou Cao

  2. Key Laboratory of Basin Structure and Hydrocarbon Accumulation, CNPC, Bei**g, 100083, China

    Xuesong Lu, Lili Gui, Weiyan Chen, Shaobo Liu, Junjia Fan & Qiang Liu

  3. Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Bei**g, 100029, China

    Shitou Wu

  4. School of Geosciences, China University of Petroleum (Bei**g), Bei**g, 102249, China

    **g Sun

  5. Institute of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences (Bei**g), Bei**g, 100083, China

    Liangliang Zhang & Wenxia Yang

  6. Sichuan Chuangyuan Weipu Analytical Technology Co., Ltd., Chengdu, 610059, China

    Yang **ao

  7. School of Geosciences, Changjiang University, Wuhan, 430100, China

    Rizhou Cao

  8. Research Institute of Exploration and Development, Daqing Oilfield Co., Ltd., Daqing, 163712, China

    Qiang Liu

Authors
  1. Xuesong Lu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Lili Gui
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Weiyan Chen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Shaobo Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Shitou Wu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Junjia Fan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Qiang Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. **g Sun
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Liangliang Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Yang **ao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  11. Wenxia Yang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  12. Rizhou Cao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Weiyan Chen.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Lu, X., Gui, L., Chen, W. et al. Improvement of in situ LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating method for carbonate minerals and its application in petroleum geology. Sci. China Earth Sci. 66, 2914–2929 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-022-1072-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-022-1072-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation