Detrital K-feldspar as a novel archive of continental crustal evolution using coupled in situ Rb–Sr dating and Pb isotope analysis

Here we present in situ Rb–Sr and Pb isotopic analysis of K-feldspar from the Shap Granite, (Cumbria, UK) and detrital K-feldspar from the associated Shap Wells Conglomerate Formation, to investigate the potential of the detrital K-feldspar record as an archive of crustal composition. We use a unique, collision cell – multi collector inductively coupled plasma tandem mass spectrometer to make the in situ isotope measurements, using ‘chemical resolution’ of ⁸⁷Rb⁺ and ²⁰⁴Hg⁺ isobaric interferences on ⁸⁷Sr⁺ and ²⁰⁴Pb⁺, achieved with SF₆ and NH₃ reaction gases, respectively. Using this technique, we successfully demonstrate that the majority of detrital K-feldspar Rb–Sr ages, as well as initial Sr and Pb isotope ratios, from the Shap Wells Conglomerate are within uncertainty of those for parental Shap Granite K-feldspar (398 ± 1 Ma, n = 6). Some detrital K-feldspar grains record perturbed Rb–Sr ages, reflecting post depositional alteration events. The majority of samples with disturbed Rb–Sr ages carry distinct petrographic features evident in SEM imaging, prior to in situ dating, which indicates a means to help screen for reliable ages. We further illustrate the potential value of combined Rb–Sr and Pb isotopic information preserved in K-feldspar to estimate the timing and chemical composition of juvenile continental crust formed in the past. Where U–Pb has been fractionated during juvenile crust formation, the initial Pb isotope ratio provided by the K-feldspar yields model crustal U/Pb (diagnostic of tectonic setting) and extraction age. The contrast in the U/Pb composition of juvenile crust formed in intraplate or subduction settings allows the model U/Pb ratios of the detrital K-feldspars to be used to constrain the style of juvenile crust formation. Additionally, the initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr isotope ratio measured in detrital K-feldspar can be combined with the calculated crustal extraction age and Rb–Sr K-feldspar age to model the Rb/Sr of the juvenile crustal protolith.