Zircon trace element geochemistry may be used to trace magmatic evolution, particularly in distinguishing the effects of progressive crystallization and removal of minerals such as zircon, plagioclase, amphibole, etc. from the melt. I am interested in developing methods for better diagnosing various other magmatic processes such as magma mixing and crustal assimilation, using the zircon record in comparison to the whole rock geochemical record.
I use granitoids from the Peninsular Ranges Batholith of southern California and, separately, the northern Colorado River Extensional Corridor of southern Nevada and western Arizona to study zircon from tectonically related magmas of varying composition and emplacement conditions.
Paper on the effects of magma mixing and crustal assimilation in the Peninsular Ranges using zircon
Tiny zircon grains trapped as inclusions in other magmatic minerals can preferentially sample the earlier portions of the magmatic zircon record. We are able to use the high spatial resolution of UCLA's ims1290 ion probe to analyze trace elements on these grains and unlock more information on the earlier magmatic history:
Paper on sampling micro-zircon inclusions to enhance zircon trace element records in magmas
Mineral inclusions trapped in igneous zircon during crystallization are another, presently under-used avenue of information about evolving melt chemistry and petrology. I am working to develop mineral inclusion assemblages in zircon as tracers of magma evolution and -- where possible -- proxies for source rock character in the detrital record. Untangling the effects of magma composition, P-T conditions, crystallization order, and other factors will be key to better exploiting the information in this record.
Paper on the effect of crystallization order on inclusion assemblages in magmatic accessory minerals