230Th/U-dating of intergarcial and interstadial fen peat and lignite: Potential limits

Abstract. The state-of-the-art and potential of the 230Th/U disequilibrium method are discussed for the dating of fen peat and lignite. Recommendations are given for the collection of suitable samples. The numerous interfering factors in 230Th/U dating of fen peat show that a rigorous examination of the reliability of the measured data sets is required if reliable 230Th/U ages are to be obtained. The accuracy of such 230Th/U ages allows a reliable correlation of interglacial and interstadial deposits to the warm periods documented in the SPECMAP timescale but does not yet allow detailed temporal resolution.