Application of Sm-Nd and Lu-Hf isotope systems in geological and archeometric research (FWOAL601)

The questions where materials come from and how old they are, are crucial to studies of natural and man-made materials, which belong to the fields of geology and archaeometry. The steady decay of radioactive isotopes causes natural variations in the isotope ratio of certain elements, such as neodymium (Nd) and hafnium (Hf). These variations can be accurately determined by multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC ICPMS), and help to source and date materials. This will be used for various purposes. Ore deposits in e.g. the Central African Copperbelt are associated with carbonate veins, and their Nd isotopic composition is likely to identify the source of their elemental contents, and by inference, the source of associated copper mineralisation. The Hf isotopic composition of such veins could potentially tell when they were formed. Combining Hf and Nd isotopic studies will shed light on the varying contributions of the Earth's mantle and crust to magmas erupted in volcanic areas such as the Aegean Arc. Finally, Nd isotope ratio can help to determine the source of archaeological artefacts, such as Hellenistic-Roman glass and Bronze Age pottery.

Keywords:isotopic analyses, Geology, Multi collector ICP-MS

Disciplines:Mathematical sciences and statistics, History and archaeology, Biological sciences, Earth sciences, Chemical sciences