Abstract:
Five Quaternary standard samples were dated, and isotope ratios of U and Th contained in standard solutions were measured by Neptune Plus multiple collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS). The results show that the
234U/
238U atomic ratios of CRM 112A and Harwell Uraninite-1 (HU-1) are (52.860±0.042)×10
-6 (
δ 234U=(-38.36±0.77)‰,
n=17) and (54.911±0.007)×10
-6 (
δ 234U=(-1.04±0.13)‰,
n=27), respectively, which are in excellent agreement with the data previously reported by other laboratories within 2
σ error; samples of 0.6 pg
230Th (NBS Th standard) give the precisions less than 3‰; the ages of five carbonate standards are (47520±220) y, (86880±340) y, (130 830±550) y, (129 380±480) y and (197970±1590) y for 76001, GBW04412, RKM-6, RKM-5 and RKM-4, respectively. These data are in accordance with the replicates measurements in the laboratories of Minnesota University and Xi’an Jiaotong University within uncertainties. All errors herein quote at the 2
σ level, and all samples above are performed in the Uranium-series chronology laboratory of Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. This approach can be applied to dating various materials since late-middle Pleistocene, materials, such as speleothems, corals, deep-sea sulfides and so on.