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Science 23 December 1966:
Vol. 154. no. 3756, pp. 1538 - 1540
DOI: 10.1126/science.154.3756.1538
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Articles

Uranium and Lead Isotopic Stability in a Metamict Zircon under Experimental Hydrothermal Conditions

R. T. Pidgeon 1, James R. O'Neil 2, and Leon T. Silver 3

1 Division of Geological Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena 91109; Mineralogical Institute, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich, Switzerland.
2 Division of Geological Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena 91109; Isotape Geology Branch, U.S. Geological Survay, Denver Colorado.
3 Division of Geological Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena 91109

Abstract. Disturbance of the uranium-lead isotopic system in a metamict Ceylon zircon has been produced in a 2 molal NaCI solution at 500°C and 1000 bars fluid pressure. Loss of radiogenic lead to the extent of 61 percent in 13 days was the most significant effect. The experimental results support the episodic rather than continuous lead-loss interpretation of natural zircon systems utilized in geochronology.


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