Abstract
Various interfering reactions producing Ar isotopes during neutron irradiation from Cl, Ar, K, and Ca have been previously detailed with the significant ones being routinely corrected for in 40Ar/39Ar geochronology. Interference of double charged 80Kr (80Kr++) with 40Ar has not yet been considered. Significant amounts of 80Kr are produced during neutron irradiation through the reaction 79Br(n,β−)80Kr. While previous workers reported a computed fission spectrum averaged cross section of ∼48mb—compared to ∼113mb for 39K(n,p)39Ar—we determined a ∼33-fold higher production rate of 80Kr from Br compared to 39Ar from K in the CLICIT facility of the OSU reactor. Low-K, high-Br phases, e.g., some amphiboles, and fluid or melt inclusion rich samples are prone to 80Kr++ interference biasing 40Ar/39Ar dates in the ‰ to % range. 80Kr++ resembles excess 40Ar in step-heating experiments. The interference can be corrected for by using the parallel reaction 81Br(n,β−)82Kr.
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