Editing Columbite (section)

== Dating ==
There are three applications to dating columbite group minerals each with advantages and disadvantages. These methods are [[Uranium–lead dating|uranium lead (U-Pb) dating]], laser ablation [[inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry]] (LA-ICP-MS), and [[secondary ion mass spectrometry]] (SIMS). The U-Pb method, can determine the location, and age of a columbite mineral group by the U/Pb ratio.<ref name=":3">{{Cite journal |last1=Tapster |first1=Simon |last2=Bright |first2=Joshua W. G. |date=2020-12-18 |title=High-precision ID-TIMS cassiterite U–Pb systematics using a low-contamination hydrothermal decomposition: implications for LA-ICP-MS and ore deposit geochronology |url=https://gchron.copernicus.org/articles/2/425/2020/ |journal=Geochronology |language=English |volume=2 |issue=2 |pages=425–441 |doi=10.5194/gchron-2-425-2020 |doi-access=free |bibcode=2020GeChr...2..425T |issn=2628-3697}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite journal |last1=Feng |first1=Yonggang |last2=Liang |first2=Ting |last3=Zhang |first3=Ze |last4=Wang |first4=Yiqian |last5=Zhou |first5=Yi |last6=Yang |first6=Xiuqing |last7=Gao |first7=Jinggang |last8=Wang |first8=Hui |last9=Ding |first9=Kun |date=August 2019 |title=Columbite U-Pb Geochronology of Kalu'an Lithium Pegmatites in Northern Xinjiang, China: Implications for Genesis and Emplacement History of Rare-Element Pegmatites |journal=Minerals |language=en |volume=9 |issue=8 |pages=456 |doi=10.3390/min9080456 |doi-access=free |bibcode=2019Mine....9..456F |issn=2075-163X}}</ref> This method is often paired with isotope dilution-thermal ionization mass spectrometry (ID-TIMS) to increase precision.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" /> The LA-ICP-MS method is used in situ to date columbite-tantalite minerals with less than five percent error on the isotopic ratio of uranium and lead.<ref name=":4" /> The SIMS method has a high spatial resolution and has a high accuracy in measuring lead isotopes in columbite minerals.<ref name=":4" /> The LA-ICP-MS and SIMS method are not commonly used due to the lack of certified reference material.<ref name=":4" />