Measurement of SIMS Instrumental Mass Fractionation of Pb Isotopes During Zircon Dating

An igneous zircon reference material (OG1) was characterised for U‐Pb isotopes by ID‐TIMS, and utilised to evaluate SIMS (SHRIMP) instrumental mass fractionation (IMF) of radiogenic Pb isotopes ( 207 Pb*/ 206 Pb*). The TIMS 207 Pb*/ 206 Pb* reference value for OG1 was 0.29907 ± 0.00011 (95% confidence limit), 3465.4 ± 0.6 Ma. The high 207 Pb* (∼ 30 μg g −1 ), negligible common Pb, and isotopic homogeneity permitted precise (± 1–2‰) 207 Pb*/ 206 Pb* measurements within the analytical sessions. External reproducibility of mean 207 Pb*/ 206 Pb* ratios between sessions was demonstrated for one instrument, yielding a mean IMF of +0.87 ± 0.49‰. The mean 207 Pb*/ 206 Pb* ratios between instruments were dispersed beyond uncertainties, with session IMF values from +3.6 ± 1.7‰ to −2.4 ± 1.3‰, and a grand mean IMF value (twenty‐six sessions) of +0.70 ± 0.52‰, indicating a tendency towards elevated 207 Pb*/ 206 Pb*. The specific causes of variability in IMF are unclear, but generally reflect subtle differences in analytical conditions. The common practice in SIMS of assuming that IMF for Pb + is insignificant could result in systematic age biases and underestimated uncertainties, of critical importance for precise correlation of Precambrian events. Nevertheless, a zircon RM such as OG1 can be readily incorporated into routine dating to improve 207 Pb*/ 206 Pb* accuracy and external reproducibility.