Articles | Volume 73, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/egqsj-73-1-2024
© Author(s) 2024. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/egqsj-73-1-2024
© Author(s) 2024. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
09 Jan 2024
Research article |
| 09 Jan 2024
| 09 Jan 2024
Reconstructing the Eemian to Middle Pleniglacial pedosedimentary evolution of the Baix loess–palaeosol sequence (Rhône Rift Valley, southern France) – basic chronostratigraphic framework and palaeosol characterisation
Nora Pfaffner
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Department of Physical Geography, University of Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
Institute of Forest Ecosystems, Thünen Institute, 16225 Eberswalde, Germany
Annette Kadereit
Heidelberg Luminescence Laboratory, Institute of Geography, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
Volker Karius
Department of Sedimentology and Environmental Geology, University of Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
Thomas Kolb
Department of Geography, University of Giessen, 35390 Giessen, Germany
Sebastian Kreutzer
Heidelberg Luminescence Laboratory, Institute of Geography, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
Geography & Earth Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, SY23 3DB, Wales, United Kingdom
Archéosciences Bordeaux, UMR 6034, CNRS – Université Bordeaux Montaigne, 33607 Pessac, France
Daniela Sauer
Department of Physical Geography, University of Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
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Annette Kadereit, Mariana Sontag-González, Sebastian Kreutzer, Marco Colombo, Christoph Schmidt, and Paul R. Hanson
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-5978, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-5978, 2025
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for Geochronology (GChron).
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Infrared-stimulated luminescence (IRSL) dating of feldspar is an essential tool for dating sediments. Two major challenges of the IRSL signal are its “anomalous” instability potentially leading to age underestimation and its slow bleaching by sunlight which may cause age overestimation. Here we propose a progressively elevated temperature (PET) IRSL single aliquot regenerative (SAR) procedure to isolate a potentially stable IRSL signal from a set of best bleached subsamples.
Sebastian Kreutzer, Loïc Martin, Didier Miallier, and Norbert Mercier
Geochronology, 7, 229–246, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-7-229-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-7-229-2025, 2025
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Accurate readings on the environmental gamma dose rate are important. Portable gamma-ray detectors, such as those that are 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.
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.
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.
Mathieu Bosq, Sebastian Kreutzer, Pascal Bertran, Philippe Lanos, Philippe Dufresne, and Christoph Schmidt
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 15, 4689–4711, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-15-4689-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-15-4689-2023, 2023
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During the last glacial period, cold conditions associated with changes in atmospheric circulation resulted in the deposition of widespread loess. It seems that the phases of loess accumulation were not strictly synchronous. To test this hypothesis, the chronology of loess deposition in different regions of Europe was studied by recalculating 1423 luminescence ages in a database. Our study discusses the link between the main loess sedimentation phases and the maximal advance of glaciers.
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.
Britta Greenshields, Barbara von der Lühe, Felix Schwarz, Harold J. Hughes, Aiyen Tjoa, Martyna Kotowska, Fabian Brambach, and Daniela Sauer
Biogeosciences, 20, 1259–1276, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-1259-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-1259-2023, 2023
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Silicon (Si) can have multiple beneficial effects on crops such as oil palms. In this study, we quantified Si concentrations in various parts of an oil palm (leaflets, rachises, fruit-bunch parts) to derive Si storage estimates for the total above-ground biomass of an oil palm and 1 ha of an oil-palm plantation. We proposed a Si balance by identifying Si return (via palm fronds) and losses (via harvest) in the system and recommend management measures that enhance Si cycling.
Britta Greenshields, Barbara von der Lühe, Harold J. Hughes, Christian Stiegler, Suria Tarigan, Aiyen Tjoa, and Daniela Sauer
SOIL, 9, 169–188, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-9-169-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-9-169-2023, 2023
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Silicon (Si) research could provide complementary measures in sustainably cultivating oil-palm monocultures. Our study shows that current oil-palm management practices and topsoil erosion on oil-palm plantations in Indonesia have caused a spatial distribution of essential Si pools in soil. A lack of well-balanced Si levels in topsoil could negatively affect crop yield and soil fertility for future replanting at the same plantation site. Potential measures are suggested to maintain Si cycling.
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.
Michael Dietze, Sebastian Kreutzer, Margret C. Fuchs, and Sascha Meszner
Geochronology, 4, 323–338, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-4-323-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-4-323-2022, 2022
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The R package sandbox is a collection of functions that allow the creation, sampling and analysis of fully virtual sediment sections, like having a virtual twin of real-world deposits. This article introduces the concept, features, and workflows required to use sandbox. It shows how a real-world sediment section can be mapped into the model and subsequently addresses a series of theoretical and practical questions, exploiting the flexibility of the model framework.
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.
Thomas Kolb, Konrad Tudyka, Annette Kadereit, Johanna Lomax, Grzegorz Poręba, Anja Zander, Lars Zipf, and Markus Fuchs
Geochronology, 4, 1–31, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-4-1-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-4-1-2022, 2022
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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.
Florian Schneider, Michael Klinge, Jannik Brodthuhn, Tino Peplau, and Daniela Sauer
SOIL, 7, 563–584, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-7-563-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-7-563-2021, 2021
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The central Mongolian forest steppe underlies a recent decline of forested area. We analysed the site and soil properties in the Khangai Mountains to identify differences between disturbed forest areas with and without regrowth of trees. More silty soils were found under areas with tree regrowth and more sandy soils under areas without tree regrowth. Due to the continental, semi-arid climate, soil properties which increase the amount of available water are decisive for tree regrowth in Mongolia.
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.
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Short summary
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.
We present results of the Baix loess–palaeosol sequence, SE France. Reconstructed intense soil...
