查看更多>>摘要：Accurate decomposition of Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) spectrum is a crucial task to extract compound signal intensities of enamel fragments at different irradiation time, in particular for dose recovery accuracy. While it can be achieved manually, the task is laborious and repetitive. In this paper, we present a new freely available program "ESRfrag" that allows the alignment, merging, and computation of complex angular ESR spectra. This program is an open access web-based code, designed to specifically alleviate the daunting task of working with large amounts of ESR spectra for enamel fragment dating. ESRfrag provides an increased reliability and precision on the results compared to manual calculation by removing operators bias. The program can be freely access through the Geoarchaeology and Archaeometry Research Group website (https://www.garg.org.au/projects).
查看更多>>摘要：Palaeolithic sites associated with the Eemian Interglacial (MIS 5e) are very rare in NW Europe, and especially in Northern France, where their preservation is restricted to very specific geological contexts, in association with carbonated tufa (Caours) or peat deposits (Waziers). In order to check the reliability of ESR/U-series method to date teeth recovered from archaeological levels in such specific geological environments, teeth were sampled on these two Middle Palaeolithic sites and systematic in situ dosimetry was performed using portable gamma spectrometer. The ESR/U-series ages obtained on the Caours site are very homogeneous allowing the calculation of a mean age equal to 125 +/- 11 ka, in agreement with the geological age, mammal's association and other available geochronological data (U-series on tufa carbonate, TL on burnt flints, OSL on sediments), despite a relatively heterogeneous dosimetric environment (gamma dose rate ranging between ca 200-450 mu Gy/a). At Waziers, reducing (water logging) environment linked to the peat leads to very specific U-series data of the analysed teeth (U content lower than 0.1 ppm in all the dental tissues, evidence of leaching in some tissues), but the mean ESR/U-series age, 129 +/- 4 ka, is also in agreement with the available geological and palaeoenvironmental data indicating that the dated teeth were associated with Late Glacial deposits prior to the climatic interglacial optimum. These two case studies then confirm the reliability of ESR/U-series method to date with good reliability and accuracy the archaeological levels linked to such relatively short climatic events (ca 10 ka).
Moayed, N. KarimiVandenberghe, D. A. G. J.Buylaert, J. -p.Deforce, K....
12页
查看更多>>摘要：We investigate the potential of quartz-based OSL-dating for application to heated sandy sediments that are closely associated with the remains of charcoal production (charcoal kilns). This is particularly relevant for post1650 CE features, where 14C-dating lacks resolution. We first document the general OSL characteristics using large aliquots of sand-sized quartz. Results from procedural tests indicate that the laboratory measurement procedure should allow reliable equivalent dose estimation. The scale of analysis is then reduced to smaller aliquots for all samples, each composed of 100-200 grains, as well as to single grains for eight heated samples. For one sample, both the small and single-grain ages are consistent with the 14C-ages obtained for charcoal fragments in the same sedimentary unit. Also for three other samples, single-grains yield ages consistent with 14C-dating; all other OSL-ages are older although, for three of these samples, single grains and small aliquots yield results that are not significantly different. We discuss potential sources of inaccuracy for the OSL-dates, such as dose rate determination and homogeneous incomplete resetting. The latter is the most difficult to assess and requires additional empirical data.
Demuro, MartinaArnold, Lee J.Pares, Josep-MariaAranburu, Arantza...
11页
查看更多>>摘要：The Sima del Elefante site is located within the Sierra de Atapuerca karst system (Burgos, northern Spain), and forms part of a series of important Early, Middle and Late Pleistocene archaeological complexes that have been dated previously with luminescence techniques (Gran Dolina, Galeria Complex, Sima de los Huesos, Galeria de las Estatuas). This study focuses on the upper Middle Pleistocene units (TE18 and TE19) at Sima del Elefante, which contain Acheulean and transitional lithic assemblages (Mode 2/3), as well as large and small mammal fossils. Importantly, these uppermost units are associated with a sediment plug located in the cave's interior at Galeria Baja, which marks the closure of a significant palaeoentrance to the Atapuerca karst system. Establishing the accumulation history of these related deposits is important for understanding both Lower Palaeolithic technological dynamics via comparisons with similar levels at other Atapuerca sites (i.e., Gran Dolina and Galeria Complex), as well as past human occupation patterns and carnivore use of (and accessibility to) the caves. We present single-grain TT-OSL and multi-grain pIR-IR chronologies for the Sima del Elefante upper sequence and the Galeria Baja sediment cone, as well as U-series dating results for a stalagmitic crust capping the combined clastic infill sequence. The paired luminescence ages for the upper occupation levels are in agreement with each other and reveal that the host deposits accumulated 576-481 ka for the TE18 stratified scree layers, 266-237 ka for TE19 and 206-250 ka for the Galeria Baja upper cone section (weighted mean 2 sigma age ranges). A concordant U-series age of 202 +/- 65 ka is obtained for the overlying stalagmitic crust at Galeria Baja. The Sima del Elefante ages are consistent with those previously obtained using U-series and biochronology, confirming that there is an erosional unconformity and complex carbonate deposition phase associated with the upper layers of unit TE18 and that the original cave entrance likely closed by ~200 ka. Chronological correlation with other Atapuerca sites reveals potential equivalence between TE18 and unit TD8 (at Gran Dolina), and between TE19 and units GIIb-GIIIb (at Galeria Complex) and, possibly, TD10.1 and TD10.2 (at Gran Dolina), though more refined dating is required to confirm the latter.
查看更多>>摘要：The growth of vertically laminated calcium-sulphate wedges in the Atacama Desert is assumed to be driven by the interaction of moisture supply and salt dynamics in the subsurface. Geochronological data of these wedge laminations is yet sparse but indispensable to resolve wedge-growth phases and episodes of moisture supply and to use these deposits as a palaeoclimate archive in the hyperarid environment. Our pilot study presents a first approach of dating a calcium-sulphate wedge from the Atacama Desert using coarse-grain feldspar luminescence dating. Our results show a widespread and clustered equivalent-dose distribution of two wedge samples from -20 Gy up to saturation. Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) of quartz revealed unsuitable properties for dating wedge deposits. Consequently, we applied post-infrared infrared stimulated luminescence (post-IR IRSL) to coarse-grained feldspars. Since feldspar single-grain measurements yielded a low number of luminescent grains, we used 1 mm aliquots as reliable single-grain proxies for genuine single-grain measurements. Data from energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX) showed that the feldspar single grains have large differences in their internal K content, resulting in an averaged internal K content of 3.9 +/- 1.0 % for all luminescent grains. This result was subsequently used for dose rate and age calculations. Our results of equivalent-dose distributions and palaeodoses derived from the minimum age model reveal most recent wedge-growth activities at 10.6 +/- 2.2 ka and 7.9 +/- 1.8 ka for the two wedge samples.
Dortch, Jason M.Tomkins, Matt D.Saha, SouravMurari, Madhav K....
15页
查看更多>>摘要：While revolutionary to the geomorphic community, the application of terrestrial cosmogenic nuclide (TCN) dating is complicated by geological uncertainties, which often lead to skewed or poorly clustered TCN age distributions. Although a range of statistical approaches are typically used to detect and remove outliers, few are optimized for analysis of TCN datasets. Many are mean- or median-based and therefore explicitly assume a single probability distribution (e.g., Mean Squared Weighted Deviates, Chauvenet's Criterion, etc.). Given the ubiquity of pre- and post-depositional modification of rock surfaces, which occur at different rates in different geomorphic settings, these approaches struggle with multimodal distributions which often characterize TCN datasets. In addition, most statistical approaches do not propagate measurement or production rate uncertainties, which become increasingly important as dataset size or clustering increases. Finally, most approaches provide arithmetic single solutions, irrespective of geologic context. To address these limitations, we present the Probabilistic Cosmogenic Age Analysis Tool (P-CAAT), a new approach for outlier detection and landform age analysis. This tool incorporates both sample age and geologic uncertainties and uses Monte Carlo simulations to eliminate dataset skewness by isolating component normal distributions from a cumulative probability density estimate for datasets with three or more samples. This approach allows geologic context to inform post-analysis interpretations, as researchers can assign landform ages based upon statistically distinct subpopulations, informed by the characteristics of geomorphic systems (e.g., exhumation of boulders as moraines degrade through time). To evaluate the effectiveness of P-CAAT, we analyzed a range of synthetic TCN datasets and compared the results to commonly used statistical approaches for outlier detection. Irrespective of dataset size or clustering, P-CAAT outperformed other approaches and returned accurate solutions that improve in precision as sample size increases. To enable more comprehensive utilization of our approach, P-CAAT is packaged with a GUI interface and is available for download at kgs. uky.edu/ anorthite/PCAAT.
Capaldi, Tomas N.Rittenour, Tammy M.Nelson, Michelle S.
9页
查看更多>>摘要：OSL (optically stimulated luminescence) sensitivity of quartz has been shown to either (1) record downstream sediment transport related to increased number and duration of light exposure cycles or (2) be a function of source geology, presenting a potential tool to track sediment provenance. To test these competing models this study leverages a suite of modern river samples from an extensional basin system in the Rocky Mountains of western USA (Bear River) and a retroarc foreland basin system in the southern Central Andes of Argentina (Rio San Juan) to understand the relationships among quartz luminescence sensitivity, sediment transport distance, and catchment lithologies. We compare our results with petrographic analysis of the river sand composition, and characterization of the lithology and morphometrics of the river catchments. Samples taken along the Bear River and its major tributaries in the Rocky Mountains show a progressive downstream decrease in quartz OSL sensitivity that records variation in sediment provenance and steady contribution of lower OSL sensitivity quartz recycled from Palaeozoic passive margin stratigraphy. Andean river sand samples from the Rio San Juan network exhibit pervasive low sensitivity quartz derived from Andean arc volcanic rocks and recycled Neogene foreland basin strata. These modern river sand data do not show increased sensitivity with transport distance and instead indicates that in these landscapes, quartz OSL sensitivity is an intrinsic property of the source rock. Our study shows that river sands primarily composed of older, recycled low-strained quartz derived from quartzite lithologies exhibit the highest quartz sensitivity values. Moderate quartz OSL sensitivity values are observed in rivers with young igneous quartz derived directly from the volcanic and intrusive rocks. Conversely, micro crystalline quartz in chert lithic grains or polycrystalline quartz found in composite metamorphic lithic grains record the lowest quartz OSL sensitivity values. Determining the controlling factors of quartz sensitivity in river sand provides a current baseline for resolving paleogeographic and paleodrainage histories in the sedimentary record and provides further understanding of how sediments are eroded, transported, and deposited in fluvial systems with diverse tectonic settings and geologic source rocks.
查看更多>>摘要：The high-temperature (e.g., > 200 degrees C) post-infrared infrared (pIRIR) stimulated luminescence of feldspar has been widely used for dating, because it usually suffers negligibly from anomalous fading. However, compared to the quartz optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) or low-temperature (e.g., 50 degrees C) IR stimulated luminescence (IRSL) from feldspars, the high-temperature pIRIR signals have been shown to bleach more slowly and usually have high residual does of a few Gys or more, which limits its application to date relatively young samples and may cause problems for correcting residual dose/signal. In this study, we investigated the bleachability of K feldspar pIRIR signals for individual grains. A significant variation in the bleachability of the pIRIR signal was observed among different K-feldspar grains from the same sample. Experiments show that such a variability may result in different residual doses for different grains and, consequently, additional scatter in D-e values. We present a method for quickly testing the bleachability of individual grains. Our result suggests that selecting the easy-to-bleach grains for D-e determination provides an efficient way to date young samples using high temperature pIRIR signals, which avoids the compromise of using low-temperature pIRIR signals that may suffer from anomalous fading.
Rex, Charlie L.Staff, Richard A.Sanderson, David C. W.Cresswell, Alan J....
8页
查看更多>>摘要：The luminescence characteristics of sediments are driven by a range of environmental factors and can be used as indicators of both local and regional environmental shifts. Hence, rapid luminescence profiling techniques are increasingly employed during multiproxy analysis of sediment cores, overcoming the practical limitations of traditional (dating) methods. One emerging application of luminescence profiling is in the palaeoenvironmental investigation of lake cores. This study demonstrates the versatility of rapid core profiling using portable optically stimulated luminescence and laboratory profiling techniques for appraising the luminescence characteristics of the Lake Suigetsu (Japan) sediment cores. These techniques were employed across four key time periods, each selected for their unique environmental context and significance on either a local or global scale, in order to identify relationships between down-core luminescence and environmental change. We demonstrate that the luminescence characteristics of the cores are susceptible to a range of environmental perturbations and can therefore act as proxies of past change. Additionally, the quantification of these luminescence signals, alongside an assessment of dose rate variations down-core, supports the notion that future luminescence dating is feasible. The results of this analysis contribute to the wider understanding of the application of luminescence techniques - both profiling and dating - to lake sediment cores.
查看更多>>摘要：Reliable chronology is critical for reconstructing estuarine delta process. In this study, detailed chronological framework has been performed on a core HPQK01 (52 m in depth) from the central Pearl River delta (PRD) of China. Both quartz OSL and feldspar post-IR IRSL (pIRIR) methods for late Pleistocene sediments, as well as radiocarbon dating for Holocene sediments, were applied to date the core. Results show that quartz OSL ages range from 125 +/- 18 ka to 58 +/- 6 ka, and that all of them were minimum ages due to the OSL signal saturation. Feldspar pIR200IR290 protocol shows some overestimation in dose recovery test, with the recovered to the given ratio of 1.2, while a ratio of around 1 was obtained for feldspar pIR50IR250 signals. Robust ages have been obtained from feldspar fading corrected pIR50IR250 dating with ages ranging from 150 +/- 17 ka to 98 +/- 12 ka. AMS 14C results suggest that subtidal-intertidal zone was deposited during the middle Holocene from 8.21 +/- 0.19 cal ka BP to 4.99 +/- 0.25 cal ka BP. The sedimentology of core HPQK01 record two marine transgressive-regressive cycles. Based on the dating results, the lower fluvial sediment unit (T2) could be correlated to marine isotope stage (MIS) 6, and the lower marine unit (M2) was deposited during MIS 5. A sedimentary hiatus occurred with age range of from MIS 4 to MIS 2. Since middle Holocene, another marine stratum (M1) has been accumulated. Overall, our findings suggest that feldspar pIRIR dating method has the potential to establish the Quaternary chronostratigraphic framework of the PRD for samples with ages within 150 ka.
NSTL
Elsevier