Abstract
Dob’s Linn (Scotland) is a location that has significantly influenced
our understanding of how life evolved over the Ordovician to early
Silurian. The current chronostratigraphic boundary between the
Ordovician and Silurian periods is a Global Boundary Stratotype Section
and Point (GSSP) at Dob’s Linn calibrated to 443.8±1.5 Ma, partly based
on biostratigraphic markers, radiometric ages, and statistical modeling.
Graptolites are used here as relative dating markers. We dated hundreds
of zircon grains extracted from defined metabentonites from six horizons
exposed at Dob’s Linn using Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma
Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). Each zircon was imaged using
cathodoluminescence, and most show igneous zoning with minimal
alteration. Sample locations range from 42 meters above to 5 meters
below the recognized GSSP for the Ordovician-Silurian. Samples were
responsibly collected and analyzed for paleontology and geochemistry in
other work. Overall, many 238U-206Pb zircon ages from the section are
significantly younger than expected. The youngest zircon in sample DL7,
located 5 meters below the GSSP, yielded a 238U-206Pb age of 402±12 Ma
(±2s, 5% disc). Nineteen spots on zircons from this sample are younger
than the presently assigned GSSP age, including more concordant results
of 426±8 Ma (0.8% disc) and 435±5 Ma (0.2% disc). The youngest zircon
in sample 19DL12, < 1 m below the GSSP, is 377±8 Ma (2% disc)
with a more concordant age of 443±7 Ma (0.6% disc). A sample located
directly on the GSSP (19DL09) yields 327±5 Ma (0.8% disc). Eight spots
on zircons from this sample are also younger than the presently assigned
GSSP age. We also dated two samples (DL24 and BRS23) 8 meters above the
GSSP, and the youngest, most concordant zircon ages in these samples are
400±11 Ma (5% disc) and 421±9 Ma (0.4% disc), respectively. Overall,
the U-Pb ages would re-assign the Dob’s Linn chronostratigraphic section
to Silurian-Devonian. The young age results could be attributed to Pb
loss due to hydrothermal alteration during the Acadian and Alleghenian
orogenies. Future work will implement Chemical Abrasion Isotope Dilution
Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry (CA-ID-TIMS) to obtain accurate
U-Pb dating and evaluate the potential effects of Pb loss.