Publication Date:
2019-07-13
Description:
The present investigation is concerned with the extension of the Rb-Sr dating technique to microscopic samples of individual mineral grains as small as approximately 30 micrometers in size. The measurement of the isotopic composition and the relative number of atoms of Rb and Sr has presented difficulties because of the need to separate Rb from Sr due to the isobaric interference at mass 87. This separation is critical since the changes in Sr-87/Sr-86 are directly related to the age of the sample. The approach used in the considered investigation is a modified version of the direct loading technique reported by Wasserburg et al. (1977). It is shown that measurements can be conducted of the Rb and Sr isotopic compositions and Rb/Sr atom ratios in microsamples containing 10 to the 11th to 10 to the 12th atoms of Sr. Rb-Sr model ages may prove to be of considerable importance in identifying and studying interplanetary dust particles.
Keywords:
LUNAR AND PLANETARY EXPLORATION
Type:
Lunar and Planetary Science Conference; Mar 16, 1981 - Mar 20, 1981; Houston, TX
Format:
text
