Methods of studying detrital zircons
E.E. Palenova, V.I. Vostretsov
Abstract
About autors
References
Abstract
This paper provides an overview of detrital zircon study methods from sample collection to the interpretation of geochronological and geochemical data. Detrital zircon geochronology is used to identify potential provenances and migration routes of terrigenous material, to correlate coeval deposits, and to determine the maximum depositional age. Large datasets are used for regional and global geodynamic reconstructions. Different stages of detrital zircon study affect the results and their interpretation. Sample collection and preparation, formation of the zircon sampling, selection of analytical points, analysis, and filtering the geochronological data should take into account the geological tasks. The paper describes main methods of statistical processing of geochronological data, and as determining the maximum depositional age, as well as provides a list of most commonly cited software for processing the analytical data. The paper also briefly summarizes interpretation approaches of zircon origins based on REE and other trace element content and Th/U ratio, determining the crystallization temperatures based on Ti and Hf content and potential applications of Lu-Hf and oxygen isotopes for zircons. The final section provides a list of various geochronological and geochemical databases on detrital zircons.
Keywords: detrital zircons geochronology, statistical data analysis, maximum depositional age, REE in zircon, databases, software.
Funding. This work was supported by state contract of the South Urals Federal Research Center of Mineralogy and Geoecology UB RAS № 122031600292-6.
Acknowledgements. We are grateful to M.A. Yudovskaya and E.V. Belogub, whose active participation helped the authors to discover the world of geochronology.
Conflict of interests. The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest related to this manuscript.
Author contribution. E.E. Palenova – analysis of published data on analytical methods, writing and editing the manuscript; V.I. Vostretsov – collection of information on software and databases. All the authors approved the final version of the manuscript prior to publication.
For citation: Palenova E.E., Vostretsov V.I. Methods of studying detrital zircons. Mineralogy, 2026, 12(2), 84–117. https://doi.org/10.35597/2313-545X-2026-12-2-7.
Received 04.05.2026, revised 04.06.2026, accepted 10.06.2026
About autors
Ekaterina E. Palenova – Cand. Sci. (Geol.-Mineral.), Scientific Researcher, South Urals Federal Research Center of Mineralogy and Geoecology UB RAS, Miass, Russia; palenova@mineralogy.ru
Vadim I. Vostretsov – Engineer–Researcher, South Urals Federal Research Center of Mineralogy and Geoecology UB RAS, Miass, Russia; vostretswadim@gmail.com
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