U-Th isotopes and major elements in sediments from Taylor Valley, Antarctica

This dataset contains uranium and thorium isotopic compositions (U-234, U-235, U-238, Th-230, Th-232) and major element compositions (Al, K, Na, Ca, Fe, Mn, reported as oxides) for silicate sediments from glaciogenic drifts associated with advances of Taylor Glacier in Taylor Valley, Antarctica. Isotopic measurements were obtained by ID-TIMS in the Keck Isotope Facility at UC Santa Cruz and elemental measurements were obtained by ICP-OES in the Plasma Analytical Laboratory. All measurements include fully propagated analytical and systematic (e.g. isotopic tracer) uncertainties. Chemical index of alteration was calculated from major element data. Prior to measurements, sediments were sieved to ≤125 μm grain sizes, separated into quartz-feldspar-rich and clay-rich aliquots by hydraulic settling, and subjected to sequential chemical extractions ("leaching") prior to silicate digestion.