Gaining from loss: Detrital zircon source-normalized α-dose discriminates first- versus multi-cycle grain histories

Detrital zircon U–Pb ages are widely employed as an archive of geological processes through time. Changes in detrital age patterns within sediments reflect changes source areas that often related to tectonic and/or climatic processes. However, discrimination first-cycle and multi-cycle with primary crystalline secondary sedimentary sources, respectively, can be challenging using only crystallisation constraints. Here, we present geochronology from modern fluvial littoral environments on the Scott Coastal Plain Western Australia investigate use α-dose identify recycling. The majority 1032 concordant interpreted ultimately sourced local basement. do not areal extent rocks indicate significant reworking coastal plain sediments. A novel metric – source-normalized demonstrates predominant routing via recycling intermediate storage. This is defined ratio average (a measure metamictization) belonging a characteristic group grains corresponding Average values populations <1 selective removal more labile (metamict) attrition diagenesis, indicating greater grain transport recycling, whereas c. 1 signify shorter origin. Application this approach ancient clastic systems supported by consistency results independent indicators progressive transport. Source-normalized internal chemistry (U Th), avoids bias associated multi-mineral measures sediment may fertility. Additionally, uses typically captured during routine geochronology. provides additional method address source-to-sink allows robust interpretation data.