基于原子探针层析技术的Plešovice锆石标样微量元素组成与三维空间分布研究

Trace-Element Composition and 3D Distribution of the Plešovice Zircon Reference Material Revealed by Atom Probe Tomography

  • 摘要: 锆石微量元素组成可用于约束岩浆源区性质、结晶环境和后期地质过程。然而,在实际应用中,受常规原位分析束斑尺寸(亚微米级及以上)的限制,测试结果可能受到振荡环带、扇形分区、包裹体及微细析出相等复杂内部结构的影响,难以准确识别更小尺度上的元素分布特征。为认识锆石微量元素在纳米尺度上的赋存状态和分区差异,本文选取一颗Plešovice锆石为研究对象,结合阴极发光、背散射成像与原子探针层析技术(APT)对单个颗粒内部不同结构分区的微量元素组成及三维空间分布进行表征。结果显示,分别取自阴极发光(AL)暗区和亮区的针尖样品中的微量元素在纳米尺度上总体呈均一分布,但二者在U、Th、Y、P、Dy、Al、Hf等元素含量上存在差异,其相对含量变化趋势与前人在微米尺度观察到的规律一致;背散射图像下观察到一颗约2 μm大的独居石包裹体,以及两处尺寸约为30 ~ 50 μm、明暗不均匀的区域,后者由微米尺度的富Ca-P白色析出相和暗色基体组成。取自暗色基体的针尖APT分析结果显示,该区域微量元素含量总体偏高,并呈纳米尺度层状分布,指示该区域记录了磷酸盐相析出相关的非平衡结晶过程。本研究表明,APT能够为锆石微量元素的纳米尺度赋存状态和分区差异提供直观约束,是连接微米尺度结构观察与原子尺度元素分布的重要技术手段。但在定量分析中,氧丢失、质谱峰重叠等因素仍会影响微量元素绝对含量测定的准确性,后续需通过实验参数优化、质谱精细标定和峰分解流程完善,进一步提高定量结果的可靠性。

     

    Abstract: The trace-element composition of zircon can be used to constrain magma-source characteristics, crystallization environments, and subsequent geological processes. In practice, however, conventional in situ analytical techniques are limited to spot sizes at the submicrometer scale or larger. Consequently, individual measurements may integrate signals from complex internal features, including oscillatory zoning, sector zoning, inclusions, and fine precipitates, making it difficult to resolve elemental distributions at smaller spatial scales. To investigate the nanoscale distribution and zoning-related variations of trace elements in zircon, a single Plešovice zircon grain was examined using cathodoluminescence (CL) imaging, backscattered-electron (BSE) imaging, and atom probe tomography (APT). These techniques were combined to characterize the trace-element compositions and three-dimensional spatial distributions of distinct structural domains within the grain. Trace elements in needle specimens prepared from the CL-dark and CL-bright domains were generally homogeneously distributed at the nanoscale. However, the two domains differed in their concentrations of U, Th, Y, P, Dy, Al, and Hf, with relative concentration trends consistent with those previously observed at the micrometer scale. BSE imaging revealed an approximately 2 μm monazite inclusion and two regions with heterogeneous BSE contrast, each approximately 30–50 μm across. The latter contained micrometer-scale, BSE-bright precipitates enriched in Ca and P within a dark matrix. APT analysis of a needle specimen prepared from the dark matrix revealed that trace elements were present at generally elevated concentrations and exhibited layered distributions at the nanoscale, indicating that this domain records non-equilibrium crystallization associated with phosphate-phase precipitation. These results demonstrate that APT enables direct characterization of nanoscale trace-element distributions in zircon, thereby linking micrometer-scale structural observations to atomic-scale elemental distributions. Nevertheless, oxygen loss and mass-spectral peak overlaps can compromise the accuracy of absolute trace-element concentration measurements. Further optimization of experimental parameters, more precise mass-spectrum calibration, and improved peak-deconvolution workflows are therefore required to enhance the reliability of quantitative APT analyses.

     

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