Tulloch, A.J.; Palin, M. 2013 Provenance of detrital feldspar : calibration of an LA-ICPMS trace element chemistry finger printing tool. Lower Hutt, N.Z.: GNS Science. GNS Science report 2012/35 18 p.
Abstract: Feldspar from 12 samples of plutonic igneous rocks representing four of the principal igneous suites that comprise the Median Batholith was analysed by Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICPMS) for 48 trace elements. Analyses were made on 315 feldspar grains. Results show that sufficient information can be gained from individual detrital feldspar grains to distinguish their suite of origin based on element concentrations and ratios such as Sr vs CaO, Gd/Yb etc, given appropriate source area calibration. A workflow is presented to allow individual unknown sand grains to be assigned to a source area comprising igneous rocks belonging to Separation Point, Darran or Ridge suites. Because the geographic distribution of these igneous suites is known and restricted, this analytical data set forms the basis of a new tool for detrital provenance studies, either for constraining fluvial pathways for hydrocarbon exploration, or for testing tectonic models. It is recommended that similar feldspar calibration analyses be undertaken of the other seven predominant igneous suites of New Zealand, to provide a comprehensive baseline dataset for the region. (auth)
