Strategies towards robust interpretations of Pb isotopes

Abstract

Lead (Pb) isotopes can provide key information to address fundamental geologic problems related to the formation and evolution of rocky planets. The Pb isotope system supports a diversity of applications, as it provides access to information on magma sources as well as geologic age. Consequently, a wide range of analytical techniques, data validation and interpretation strategies have been advanced across a range of Pb isotope studies. Given the multiple different Pb isotope pairs, reflecting different decay rates and ultimate parental isotope concentrations, Pb isotopes have been viewed as one of the more challenging isotope systems to comprehend. Here we provide an overview of the various analytical and interpretative approaches, for this system, and highlight their respective strengths in the context of applications, such as magma source tracking and model age determination. A discussion of different methods to determine magma source parameters (e.g., U/Pb ratio and model age) is presented, along with recommendations for data validation and reporting. A checklist for recommended data and metadata to report for Pb isotopes is provided. The aim of this contribution is to provide a framework that enables a robust interpretation of Pb isotope signatures, promoting data transparency and comparison across different analytical approaches.