Luminescence for sedimentary provenance quantification in river basins: A methodological advancement

Abstract

Multiple luminescence signals such as optically stimulated luminescence, infrared stimulated luminescence and thermoluminescence etc. are characteristic of the crystal/material. Recent studies have shown the potential of luminescence signals for sedimentary provenance studies, sediment fingerprinting and tracking. It is based on the premise that different provenances have different compositions of trace impurities in minerals which are responsible for the luminescence properties of the minerals. However, use of luminescence for provenance studies is still in its developmental stage and needs validation in modern sediments. The current work utilizes the differences in the luminescence signals from different geological provenances to quantitatively estimate the sediment influx to the mainstream from its tributaries based on a 2-component mixing model. Samples from natural river confluences and control samples prepared by mixing two samples in a known proportion by weight were used to estimate the sediment flux based on the luminescence characteristics. This study successfully demonstrates the use of luminescence parameters for sediment fingerprinting and budgeting using natural and controlled samples.