Luminescence dating of the PASADO core 5022-1D from Laguna Potrok Aike (Argentina) using IRSL signals from feldspar

Abstract

We have measured and tested a luminescence chronology for the PASADO core 5022-1D from the maar lake of Laguna Potrok Aike. Because of unsuitable quartz OSL characteristics, sand-sized K-feldspar extracts were chosen as a dosimeter and the dose was measured using a post-IR IRSL (pIRIR290) measurement protocol. Using this approach we were able to access a stable signal and thus avoid the ubiquitous problem of feldspar signal instability. Extensive laboratory tests show that the chosen pIRIR290 protocol is applicable to these samples. We also developed a new criterion based on known relative bleaching rates of the conventional IRSL signal (IR50) and the pIRIR290 signal and the relationship between resulting equivalent doses; this is used to identify and reject poorly bleached samples. Eighteen samples out of 47 were rejected based on this criterion, without reference to absolute doses or stratigraphy; the resulting age–depth profile is self-consistent, increases smoothly with depth and is in agreement with independent age control based on volcanic ash layers (Reclús, Mt Burney and Hudson tephras) at the top and middle of the core. Our new luminescence chronology suggests that the 5022-1D core reaches back to ∼65 ka at ∼96 m below lake floor.