Articles | Volume 4, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-4-1-2022
© Author(s) 2022. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-4-1-2022
© Author(s) 2022. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
04 Jan 2022
Research article |
| 04 Jan 2022
| 04 Jan 2022
The μDose system: determination of environmental dose rates by combined alpha and beta counting – performance tests and practical experiences
Thomas Kolb
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Department of Geography, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Senckenbergstr. 1, 35390 Giessen, Germany
Konrad Tudyka
Institute of Physics – Centre for Science and Education, Division of Geochronology and Environmental Isotopes, Silesian University of Technology, ul. S. Konarskiego 22B, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
Annette Kadereit
Geographical Institute, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 348, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
Johanna Lomax
Department of Geography, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Senckenbergstr. 1, 35390 Giessen, Germany
Grzegorz Poręba
Institute of Physics – Centre for Science and Education, Division of Geochronology and Environmental Isotopes, Silesian University of Technology, ul. S. Konarskiego 22B, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
Anja Zander
Institute of Geography, University of Cologne, Otto-Fischer-Straße 4, 50674 Cologne, Germany
Lars Zipf
Laboratoire de Glaciologie (GLACIOL), Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
Markus Fuchs
Department of Geography, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Senckenbergstr. 1, 35390 Giessen, Germany
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Nora Pfaffner, Annette Kadereit, Volker Karius, Thomas Kolb, Sebastian Kreutzer, and Daniela Sauer
E&G Quaternary Sci. J., 73, 1–22, https://doi.org/10.5194/egqsj-73-1-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/egqsj-73-1-2024, 2024
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We present results of the Baix loess–palaeosol sequence, SE France. Reconstructed intense soil formation under warm, moist conditions before and into the last ice age and less intense soil formations in warm (temporarily moist) phases during the generally cold, dry ice age were validated with laboratory and dating techniques. This is particularly relevant as Baix is located in the temperate–Mediterranean climate transition zone, a sensitive zone that is susceptible to future climate changes.
Johanna Lomax, Thomas Kolb, and Markus Fuchs
E&G Quaternary Sci. J., 68, 241–242, https://doi.org/10.5194/egqsj-68-241-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/egqsj-68-241-2020, 2020
Svenja Riedesel, Guillaume Guérin, Kristina J. Thomsen, Mariana Sontag-González, Matthias Blessing, Greg A. Botha, Max Hellers, Gunther Möller, Andreas Peffeköver, Christian Sommer, Anja Zander, and Manuel Will
Geochronology, 7, 59–81, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-7-59-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-7-59-2025, 2025
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We apply luminescence dating of feldspars to establish a geochronological framework for the sequence of accretionary hillslope deposition at Jojosi, which contains important archaeological artefacts. We test and evaluate four different dose models and their applicability to single-grain and multi-grain data sets containing up to 67 % saturated grains. Our results constrain erosional and depositional processes from 100–700 ka and human occupation of the area in early MIS 5 and late MIS 6.
Linda Andrea Elisabeth Maßon, Svenja Riedesel, Stephan Opitz, Anja Zander, Anthony Bell, Hanna Cieszynski, and Tony Reimann
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-806, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-806, 2025
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We evaluate different methods for the potassium (K) concentration determination in feldspars and the impact of the K-concentrations on dose rate calculations for feldspar luminescence dating. Our results show discrepancies between published and our measured K-concentrations. Therefore, we emphasise to measure K-concentrations via bulk measurements and single-grain techniques to obtain more accurate results.
Mariana Sontag-González, Madhav K. Murari, Mayank Jain, Marine Frouin, and Markus Fuchs
Geochronology Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-2024-36, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-2024-36, 2025
Revised manuscript accepted for GChron
Short summary
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We tested the reliability of infrared-radiofluorescence (IR-RF) dating of K-feldspar on samples of known age. We compare several measurement protocols and analysis variants and determine the most appropriate version. Additionally, we compare these results with those obtained using infrared photoluminescence (IRPL), an alternative dating method for K-feldspar, for the same samples. Our results confirm the dating potential of IR-RF and highlight similarities and differences to other methods.
Susanne Preunkert, Pascal Bohleber, Michel Legrand, Adrien Gilbert, Tobias Erhardt, Roland Purtschert, Lars Zipf, Astrid Waldner, Joseph R. McConnell, and Hubertus Fischer
The Cryosphere, 18, 2177–2194, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-2177-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-2177-2024, 2024
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Ice cores from high-elevation Alpine glaciers are an important tool to reconstruct the past atmosphere. However, since crevasses are common at these glacier sites, rigorous investigations of glaciological conditions upstream of drill sites are needed before interpreting such ice cores. On the basis of three ice cores extracted at Col du Dôme (4250 m a.s.l; French Alps), an overall picture of a dynamic crevasse formation is drawn, which disturbs the depth–age relation of two of the three cores.
Nora Pfaffner, Annette Kadereit, Volker Karius, Thomas Kolb, Sebastian Kreutzer, and Daniela Sauer
E&G Quaternary Sci. J., 73, 1–22, https://doi.org/10.5194/egqsj-73-1-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/egqsj-73-1-2024, 2024
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We present results of the Baix loess–palaeosol sequence, SE France. Reconstructed intense soil formation under warm, moist conditions before and into the last ice age and less intense soil formations in warm (temporarily moist) phases during the generally cold, dry ice age were validated with laboratory and dating techniques. This is particularly relevant as Baix is located in the temperate–Mediterranean climate transition zone, a sensitive zone that is susceptible to future climate changes.
Max Engel, Felix Henselowsky, Fabian Roth, Annette Kadereit, Manuel Herzog, Stefan Hecht, Susanne Lindauer, Olaf Bubenzer, and Gerd Schukraft
E&G Quaternary Sci. J., 71, 213–226, https://doi.org/10.5194/egqsj-71-213-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/egqsj-71-213-2022, 2022
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The late-glacial Bergstraßenneckar is a former course of the Neckar River in the Upper Rhine Graben of southwest Germany at a time when the confluence with the Rhine river was 50 km further to the north. The former river bends are still visible in topographic maps and satellite imagery. Sediment cores and geophysical measurements from the former river channels let us reconstruct the shift from a running river to silting-up meanders and permit us to date this to ca. 11 000 to 10 500 years ago.
Charles Pelletier, Thierry Fichefet, Hugues Goosse, Konstanze Haubner, Samuel Helsen, Pierre-Vincent Huot, Christoph Kittel, François Klein, Sébastien Le clec'h, Nicole P. M. van Lipzig, Sylvain Marchi, François Massonnet, Pierre Mathiot, Ehsan Moravveji, Eduardo Moreno-Chamarro, Pablo Ortega, Frank Pattyn, Niels Souverijns, Guillian Van Achter, Sam Vanden Broucke, Alexander Vanhulle, Deborah Verfaillie, and Lars Zipf
Geosci. Model Dev., 15, 553–594, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-15-553-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-15-553-2022, 2022
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We present PARASO, a circumpolar model for simulating the Antarctic climate. PARASO features five distinct models, each covering different Earth system subcomponents (ice sheet, atmosphere, land, sea ice, ocean). In this technical article, we describe how this tool has been developed, with a focus on the
coupling interfacesrepresenting the feedbacks between the distinct models used for contribution. PARASO is stable and ready to use but is still characterized by significant biases.
Dominik Faust and Markus Fuchs
E&G Quaternary Sci. J., 70, 243–246, https://doi.org/10.5194/egqsj-70-243-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/egqsj-70-243-2021, 2021
Frank Preusser, Markus Fuchs, and Christine Thiel
E&G Quaternary Sci. J., 70, 201–203, https://doi.org/10.5194/egqsj-70-201-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/egqsj-70-201-2021, 2021
Frank Preusser, Markus Fuchs, and Christine Thiel
DEUQUA Spec. Pub., 3, 1–3, https://doi.org/10.5194/deuquasp-3-1-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/deuquasp-3-1-2021, 2021
Sascha Scherer, Benjamin Höpfer, Katleen Deckers, Elske Fischer, Markus Fuchs, Ellen Kandeler, Jutta Lechterbeck, Eva Lehndorff, Johanna Lomax, Sven Marhan, Elena Marinova, Julia Meister, Christian Poll, Humay Rahimova, Manfred Rösch, Kristen Wroth, Julia Zastrow, Thomas Knopf, Thomas Scholten, and Peter Kühn
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This paper aims to reconstruct Middle Bronze Age (MBA) land use practices in the northwestern Alpine foreland (SW Germany, Hegau). We used a multi-proxy approach including biogeochemical proxies from colluvial deposits in the surroundings of a MBA settlement, on-site archaeobotanical and zooarchaeological data and off-site pollen data. From our data we infer land use practices such as plowing, cereal growth, forest farming and use of fire that marked the beginning of major colluvial deposition.
Dominik Brill, Simon Matthias May, Nadia Mhammdi, Georgina King, Benjamin Lehmann, Christoph Burow, Dennis Wolf, Anja Zander, and Helmut Brückner
Earth Surf. Dynam., 9, 205–234, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-9-205-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-9-205-2021, 2021
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Wave-transported boulders are important records for storm and tsunami impact over geological timescales. Their use for hazard assessment requires chronological information. We investigated the potential of a new dating technique, luminescence rock surface exposure dating, for estimating transport ages of wave-emplaced boulders. Our results indicate that the new approach may provide chronological information on decadal to millennial timescales for boulders not datable by any other method so far.
Denis-Didier Rousseau, Pierre Antoine, Niklas Boers, France Lagroix, Michael Ghil, Johanna Lomax, Markus Fuchs, Maxime Debret, Christine Hatté, Olivier Moine, Caroline Gauthier, Diana Jordanova, and Neli Jordanova
Clim. Past, 16, 713–727, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-16-713-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-16-713-2020, 2020
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New investigations of European loess records from MIS 6 reveal the occurrence of paleosols and horizon showing slight pedogenesis similar to those from the last climatic cycle. These units are correlated with interstadials described in various marine, continental, and ice Northern Hemisphere records. Therefore, these MIS 6 interstadials can confidently be interpreted as DO-like events of the penultimate climate cycle.
Annette Kadereit, Sebastian Kreutzer, Christoph Schmidt, and Regina DeWitt
Geochronology Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-2020-3, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-2020-3, 2020
Preprint withdrawn
Christopher Lüthgens, Daniela Sauer, Michael Zech, Becky Briant, Eleanor Brown, Elisabeth Dietze, Markus Fuchs, Nicole Klasen, Sven Lukas, Jan-Hendrik May, Julia Meister, Tony Reimann, Gilles Rixhon, Zsófia Ruszkiczay-Rüdiger, Bernhard Salcher, Tobias Sprafke, Ingmar Unkel, Hans von Suchodoletz, and Christian Zeeden
E&G Quaternary Sci. J., 68, 243–244, https://doi.org/10.5194/egqsj-68-243-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/egqsj-68-243-2020, 2020
Johanna Lomax, Thomas Kolb, and Markus Fuchs
E&G Quaternary Sci. J., 68, 241–242, https://doi.org/10.5194/egqsj-68-241-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/egqsj-68-241-2020, 2020
Jan Johannes Miera, Jessica Henkner, Karsten Schmidt, Markus Fuchs, Thomas Scholten, Peter Kühn, and Thomas Knopf
E&G Quaternary Sci. J., 68, 75–93, https://doi.org/10.5194/egqsj-68-75-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/egqsj-68-75-2019, 2019
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This study investigates Neolithic settlement dynamics by combining archaeological source criticism and archaeopedological data from colluvial deposits. It is shown that the distribution of Neolithic sites in the Baar region is distorted by superimposition due to erosion. Furthermore, the preservation conditions for pottery are limited by weathering effects. By complementing archaeological data with phases of colluviation we are able to point out settlement dynamics throughout the Neolithic.
Markus Fuchs
DEUQUA Spec. Pub., 1, 1–2, https://doi.org/10.5194/deuquasp-1-1-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/deuquasp-1-1-2018, 2018
Johanna Lomax, Raphael Steup, Lyudmila Shumilovskikh, Christian Hoselmann, Daniela Sauer, Veit van Diedenhoven, and Markus Fuchs
DEUQUA Spec. Pub., 1, 15–28, https://doi.org/10.5194/deuquasp-1-15-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/deuquasp-1-15-2018, 2018
Esther Hintersberger, Kurt Decker, Johanna Lomax, and Christopher Lüthgens
Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 18, 531–553, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-18-531-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-18-531-2018, 2018
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The Vienna Basin is a low seismicity area, where historical data do not identify all potential earthquake sources. Despite observed Quaternary offset, there are no earthquakes along the Markgrafneusiedl Fault (MF). Results from 3 palaeoseismic trenches show evidence for 5–6 earthquakes with magnitudes up to M = 6.8 during the last 120 kyr. Therefore the MF should be considered as a seismic source, together with similar faults in the Vienna Basin, increasing the seismic potential close to Vienna.
D.-D. Rousseau, M. Ghil, G. Kukla, A. Sima, P. Antoine, M. Fuchs, C. Hatté, F. Lagroix, M. Debret, and O. Moine
Clim. Past, 9, 2213–2230, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-9-2213-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-9-2213-2013, 2013
C. Hatté, C. Gauthier, D.-D. Rousseau, P. Antoine, M. Fuchs, F. Lagroix, S. B. Marković, O. Moine, and A. Sima
Clim. Past, 9, 1001–1014, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-9-1001-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-9-1001-2013, 2013
A. Zander and A. Hilgers
Clim. Past, 9, 719–733, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-9-719-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-9-719-2013, 2013
Related subject area
Luminescence dating
A direct comparison of single-grain and multi-grain aliquot luminescence dating of feldspars from colluvial deposits in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Further investigations into the accuracy of infrared-radiofluorescence (IR-RF) and its inter-comparison with infrared photoluminescence (IRPL) dating
Zircon luminescence dating revisited
Environmental Gamma Dose Rate Measurements using CZT Detectors
Short communication: Synchrotron-based elemental mapping of single grains to investigate variable infrared-radiofluorescence emissions for luminescence dating
Insight into the dynamics of a long-runout mass movement using single-grain feldspar luminescence in the Pokhara Valley, Nepal
Technical note: Darkroom lighting for luminescence dating laboratory
Differential bleaching of quartz and feldspar luminescence signals under high-turbidity conditions
XLUM: an open data format for exchange and long-term preservation of luminescence data
Potential impacts of chemical weathering on feldspar luminescence dating properties
Attenuation of beta radiation in granular matrices: implications for trapped-charge dating
Luminescence age calculation through Bayesian convolution of equivalent dose and dose-rate distributions: the De_Dr model
Technical note: Quantifying uranium-series disequilibrium in natural samples for dosimetric dating – Part 1: gamma spectrometry
Erosion rates in a wet, temperate climate derived from rock luminescence techniques
Technical note: On the reliability of laboratory beta-source calibration for luminescence dating
Spatially resolved infrared radiofluorescence: single-grain K-feldspar dating using CCD imaging
Towards an improvement of optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) age uncertainties: modelling OSL ages with systematic errors, stratigraphic constraints and radiocarbon ages using the R package BayLum
Luminescence properties and dating of glacial to periglacial sediments from northern Switzerland
Extended-range luminescence dating of quartz and alkali feldspar from aeolian sediments in the eastern Mediterranean
Svenja Riedesel, Guillaume Guérin, Kristina J. Thomsen, Mariana Sontag-González, Matthias Blessing, Greg A. Botha, Max Hellers, Gunther Möller, Andreas Peffeköver, Christian Sommer, Anja Zander, and Manuel Will
Geochronology, 7, 59–81, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-7-59-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-7-59-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We apply luminescence dating of feldspars to establish a geochronological framework for the sequence of accretionary hillslope deposition at Jojosi, which contains important archaeological artefacts. We test and evaluate four different dose models and their applicability to single-grain and multi-grain data sets containing up to 67 % saturated grains. Our results constrain erosional and depositional processes from 100–700 ka and human occupation of the area in early MIS 5 and late MIS 6.
Mariana Sontag-González, Madhav K. Murari, Mayank Jain, Marine Frouin, and Markus Fuchs
Geochronology Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-2024-36, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-2024-36, 2025
Revised manuscript accepted for GChron
Short summary
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We tested the reliability of infrared-radiofluorescence (IR-RF) dating of K-feldspar on samples of known age. We compare several measurement protocols and analysis variants and determine the most appropriate version. Additionally, we compare these results with those obtained using infrared photoluminescence (IRPL), an alternative dating method for K-feldspar, for the same samples. Our results confirm the dating potential of IR-RF and highlight similarities and differences to other methods.
Christoph Schmidt, Théo Halter, Paul R. Hanson, Alexey Ulianov, Benita Putlitz, Georgina E. King, and Sebastian Kreutzer
Geochronology, 6, 665–682, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-6-665-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-6-665-2024, 2024
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We study the use of zircons as dosimeters using modern techniques, highlighting their advantages such as time-invariant dose rates. We explore the correlation between zircon geochemistry and luminescence properties, observe fast zircon optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) bleaching rates, and assess the potential of auto-regeneration. Low OSL sensitivities require combining natural OSL and auto-regenerated thermoluminescence (TL), with the potential to enhance age accuracy and precision.
Sebastian Kreutzer, Loïc Martin, Didier Miallier, and Norbert Mercier
Geochronology Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-2024-31, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-2024-31, 2024
Revised manuscript accepted for GChron
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Accurate readings on the environmental gamma dose rate are important. Portable gamma-ray detectors, such as NaI or LaBr3-based, are easy to handle and affordable. Limited information on alternatives, like CZT (Cadmium Zinc Telluride) detectors is available. We tested CZT detectors and found them suitable for in-field deployment. We used simulations and field tests to evaluate the optimal energy threshold for direct dose rate readings, making the CZT system a reliable alternative.
Mariana Sontag-González, Raju Kumar, Jean-Luc Schwenninger, Juergen Thieme, Sebastian Kreutzer, and Marine Frouin
Geochronology, 6, 77–88, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-6-77-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-6-77-2024, 2024
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This is a preliminary study using a synchrotron light source to generate elemental maps, incorporating oxidation states, with a spatial resolution of <1 µm for individual grains within the K-feldspar density fraction. The elemental fingerprint characterizing grains with a signal suitable for infrared radiofluorescence dating reveals high levels of K, Pb, and Ba coupled with low levels of Fe and Ca. In contrast, grains exhibiting higher proportions of Fe and Ca produce an odd signal shape.
Anna-Maartje de Boer, Wolfgang Schwanghart, Jürgen Mey, Basanta Raj Adhikari, and Tony Reimann
Geochronology, 6, 53–70, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-6-53-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-6-53-2024, 2024
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This study tested the application of single-grain feldspar luminescence for dating and reconstructing sediment dynamics of an extreme mass movement event in the Himalayan mountain range. Our analysis revealed that feldspar signals can be used to estimate the age range of the deposits if the youngest subpopulation from a sample is retrieved. The absence of clear spatial relationships with our bleaching proxies suggests that sediments were transported under extremely limited light exposure.
Marine Frouin, Taylor Grandfield, William Huebsch, and Owen Evans
Geochronology, 5, 405–412, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-5-405-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-5-405-2023, 2023
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Here, we present the lighting setting implemented in the new Luminescence Dating Research Laboratory at Stony Brook University, USA. First, we performed spectral measurements on different light sources and filters. Then, we measured the loss of dose in quartz and feldspar samples when exposed to various light sources and durations. Finally, we conclude that our lighting setting is suitable for a luminescence darkroom laboratory; it is simple, inexpensive to build, and durable.
Jürgen Mey, Wolfgang Schwanghart, Anna-Maartje de Boer, and Tony Reimann
Geochronology, 5, 377–389, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-5-377-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-5-377-2023, 2023
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This study presents the results of an outdoor flume experiment to evaluate the effect of turbidity on the bleaching of fluvially transported sediment. Our main conclusions are that even small amounts of sediment lead to a substantial change in the intensity and frequency distribution of light within the suspension and that flow turbulence is an important prerequisite for bleaching grains during transport.
Sebastian Kreutzer, Steve Grehl, Michael Höhne, Oliver Simmank, Kay Dornich, Grzegorz Adamiec, Christoph Burow, Helen M. Roberts, and Geoff A. T. Duller
Geochronology, 5, 271–284, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-5-271-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-5-271-2023, 2023
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The concept of open data has become the modern science meme. Funding bodies and publishers support open data. However, the open data mandate frequently encounters technical obstacles, such as a lack of a suitable data format for data sharing and long-term data preservation. Such issues are often community-specific and demand community-tailored solutions. We propose a new human-readable data format for data exchange and long-term preservation of luminescence data called XLUM.
Melanie Bartz, Jasquelin Peña, Stéphanie Grand, and Georgina E. King
Geochronology, 5, 51–64, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-5-51-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-5-51-2023, 2023
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Chemical weathering alters the chemical composition of mineral grains, and it follows that luminescence dating signals may also be progressively modified. We artificially weathered feldspar samples under different chemical conditions to understand the effect of feldspar partial dissolution on their luminescence properties. Only minor changes were observed on luminescence dating properties, implying that chemical alteration of feldspar surfaces may not affect luminescence dating signals.
Alastair C. Cunningham, Jan-Pieter Buylaert, and Andrew S. Murray
Geochronology, 4, 517–531, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-4-517-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-4-517-2022, 2022
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Mineral grains within sediment or rock absorb a radiation dose from the decay of radionuclides in the host matrix. For the beta dose component, the estimated dose rate must be adjusted for the attenuation of beta particles within the mineral grains. We show here that the mean dose rate to dosimeter grains in a granular matrix is dependent on the grain-size distributions of the source grains, the bulk sediment, and the grain size of the dosimeters.
Norbert Mercier, Jean-Michel Galharret, Chantal Tribolo, Sebastian Kreutzer, and Anne Philippe
Geochronology, 4, 297–310, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-4-297-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-4-297-2022, 2022
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Dosimetric dating methods based on the analysis of luminescence signals emitted by granular minerals extracted from sedimentary deposits now play an important role in the study of the Quaternary. Here we propose a new approach in which the age of the deposit is calculated by combining the equivalent dose and dose-rate distributions. The underlying Bayesian mathematical model and its implementation via an R code are provided, together with the results obtained for a finite set of configurations.
Barbara Mauz, Paul J. Nolan, and Peter G. Appleby
Geochronology, 4, 213–225, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-4-213-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-4-213-2022, 2022
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It is of critical importance to dosimetric dating techniques that the quantity of the radiation dose is estimated accurately. Here we describe gamma spectrometry in terms of instrument, measurement procedures, and data analyses required for estimating parent nuclide activities. The description includes analytical procedures required to generate data with sufficient accuracy and precision for samples in secular equilibrium. We also outline procedures required to quantify disequilibrium.
Rachel K. Smedley, David Small, Richard S. Jones, Stephen Brough, Jennifer Bradley, and Geraint T. H. Jenkins
Geochronology, 3, 525–543, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-3-525-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-3-525-2021, 2021
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We apply new rock luminescence techniques to a well-constrained scenario of the Beinn Alligin rock avalanche, NW Scotland. We measure accurate erosion rates consistent with independently derived rates and reveal a transient state of erosion over the last ~4000 years in the wet, temperate climate of NW Scotland. This study shows that the new luminescence erosion-meter has huge potential for inferring erosion rates on sub-millennial scales, which is currently impossible with existing techniques.
Barbara Mauz, Loïc Martin, Michael Discher, Chantal Tribolo, Sebastian Kreutzer, Chiara Bahl, Andreas Lang, and Nobert Mercier
Geochronology, 3, 371–381, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-3-371-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-3-371-2021, 2021
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Luminescence dating requires irradiating the sample in the laboratory. Here, we address some concerns about the reliability of the calibration procedure that have been published recently. We found that the interplay between geometrical parameters such as grain size and aliquot size impacts the calibration value more than previously thought. The results of our study are robust and allow us to recommend an improved calibration procedure in order to enhance the reliability of the calibration value.
Dirk Mittelstraß and Sebastian Kreutzer
Geochronology, 3, 299–319, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-3-299-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-3-299-2021, 2021
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Our contribution enhances the infrared radiofluorescence dating technique, used to determine the last sunlight exposure of potassium feldspars in a range of about 600 to 600 000 years backwards. We recorded radiofluorescence images of fine sands and processed them with tailored open-source software to obtain ages from single grains. Finally, we tested our new method successfully on two natural sediment samples. Studies in Earth science will benefit from improved age accuracy and new insights.
Guillaume Guérin, Christelle Lahaye, Maryam Heydari, Martin Autzen, Jan-Pieter Buylaert, Pierre Guibert, Mayank Jain, Sebastian Kreutzer, Brice Lebrun, Andrew S. Murray, Kristina J. Thomsen, Petra Urbanova, and Anne Philippe
Geochronology, 3, 229–245, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-3-229-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-3-229-2021, 2021
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This paper demonstrates how to model optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) and radiocarbon ages in a Bayesian framework, using a dedicated software tool called BayLum. We show the effect of stratigraphic constraints, of modelling the covariance of ages when the same equipment is used for a series of OSL samples, and of including independent ages on a chronological inference. The improvement in chronological resolution is significant.
Daniela Mueller, Frank Preusser, Marius W. Buechi, Lukas Gegg, and Gaudenz Deplazes
Geochronology, 2, 305–323, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-2-305-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-2-305-2020, 2020
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Luminescence properties of samples from the Rinikerfeld, northern Switzerland, are assessed. Reader-specific low preheat temperatures are invesigated to ensure suitable measurement conditions. While quartz is found to be dominated by stable fast components, signal loss is observed for feldspar and polymineral. In general, the ages of the fading corrected feldspar and the fine-grained polymineral fractions are in agreement with coarse-grained quartz, and ages indicate sedimentation during MIS6.
Galina Faershtein, Naomi Porat, and Ari Matmon
Geochronology, 2, 101–118, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-2-101-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-2-101-2020, 2020
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Optically stimulated luminescence dates the last exposure of quartz and feldspar minerals to sunlight. We investigated its sub-methods (TT-OSL, VSL, and pIRIR) to date middle and early Pleistocene sediments. Inspection of natural signals of samples can reveal saturated samples that produce only minimum ages. Using these sub-methods, minimum ages of up to the early Pleistocene can be obtained for eastern Mediterranean aeolian sediments of Nilotic origin.
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Short summary
The µDose system is an innovative analytical instrument developed for the cost- and time-efficient determination of environmental radionuclide concentrations required for the calculation of sedimentation ages in palaeo-environmental and geo-archaeological research. The results of our study suggest that accuracy and precision of µDose measurements are comparable to those of well-established methods and that the new approach shows the potential to become a standard tool in environmental dosimetry.
The µDose system is an innovative analytical instrument developed for the cost- and...
