Multiple age components in individual molybdenite grains

• Published in: Chemical geology 2012-03, Vol.300-301, p.55-60
• Main Authors: Aleinikoff, John N., Creaser, Robert A., Lowers, Heather A., Magee, Jr, Charles W., Grauch, Richard I.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Geochemical analysis; gneiss; grains; Growth episodes; highlands; image analysis; Molybdenite; Re–Os dating; trace elements; zirconium
• ISSN: 0009-2541; 1872-6836
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemgeo.2012.01.011

Re–Os geochronology of fractions composed of unsized, coarse, and fine molybdenite from a pod of unusual monazite–xenotime gneiss within a granulite facies paragneiss, Hudson Highlands, NY, yielded dates of 950.5±2.5, 953.8±2.6, and 941.2±2.6Ma, respectively. These dates are not recorded by co-existing zircon, monazite, or xenotime. SEM–BSE imagery of thin sections and separated grains reveals that most molybdenite grains are composed of core and rim plates that are approximately perpendicular. Rim material invaded cores, forming irregular contacts, probably reflecting dissolution/reprecipitation. EPMA and LA-ICP-MS analyses show that cores and rims have different trace element concentrations (for example, cores are relatively enriched in W). On the basis of inclusions of zircon with metamorphic overgrowths, we conclude that molybdenite cores and rims formed after high-grade regional metamorphism. The discovery of cores and rims in individual molybdenite grains is analogous to multi-component U-Pb geochronometers such as zircon, monazite, and titanite; thus, molybdenite should be carefully examined before dating to ensure that the requirement of age homogeneity is fulfilled. ► We show an example of molybdenite with cores and overgrowths of different ages. ► Evidence includes BSE imaging, Re–Os geochronology, EPMA and LA-ICP-MS geochemistry. ► We caution that all moly. samples should be examined before Re–Os analysis.