Quartz Optically Stimulated Luminescence Signal Research Articles

Multi-method luminescence dating of young aeolian dunes in the central Tibetan plateau

The environment of the Tibetan Plateau (TP) is extremely sensitive to global climate change, and the frequent aeolian activity on the central TP generates large amounts of dust with the result that the region has a major impact on regional and global environmental change. The extensive aeolian dunes on the central TP provide a direct and valuable archive of aeolian activity; however, the age and sediment deposition processes of these dunes are still poorly understood. Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating, an effective method for dating aeolian sediments, has been used sparingly in the region. In this study, we applied quartz single-aliquot regenerative-dose (SAR) OSL, K-feldspar post-infrared infrared-stimulated luminescence (pIRIR), and single-grain K-feldspar pIRIR methods to determine the ages of two well-preserved sand dunes in the Lunpola (LD) and Tuotuohe (TTH) river basins in the central TP. Our results showed that the quartz OSL signal of the TTH dune was dim, while the LD dune quartz exhibited a higher OSL sensitivity than that of the TTH dune. The high recuperation observed could be attributed to the low signal-to-noise ratio of the OSL signals. The K-feldspar signal was bright and the pIR50IR170 signal could be used to date young dune samples in the central TP, whereas it could be affected by the residual dose, or incomplete bleaching in the TTH profile, resulting in age overestimation. The single-grain K-feldspar protocol had a good potential for dating the young TP dunes. Multi-method luminescence dating is recommended for the cross-checking of young dune samples with low OSL sensitivity in the TP. Our luminescence dating reveals that aeolian dunes in the central TP formed approximately 385 to 330 a and persisted to the present, possibly in response to climate change since the late stage of Little Ice Age (1400−1850 CE).

Single grain pIRIR dating of glacigenic deposits in the Yuzhu Peak area of Kunlun Mountains of Tibetan Plateau revealed the glaciations during Holocene period

The variations of glaciers in the Kunlun Mountains of the northern Tibetan Plateau are influenced by the complex interaction of the East Asia summer monsoon (EASM), Indian summer monsoon (ISM) and Westerlies, as well as human activity during the Holocene period. Consequently there is ongoing debates regarding the evolution of glaciers and the factors driving their changes. The reconstruction of glacial evolutions in these regions has been hindered by insufficient chronological data for moraines and other glacial landforms. In this study, glacial sediment samples were collected from five moraine sequences located on the southern and northern slopes of the Yuzhu Peak in the Kunlun Mountains. These poorly bleached moraine samples were dated using the single-grain quartz optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) and K-feldspar post-infrared infrared stimulated luminescence (pIRIR) dating methods. The luminescence characteristics analysis of quartz grains shows that single grain quartz OSL dating cannot be used to date Holocene moraine samples due to the low brightness of quartz OSL signals. Various tests were conducted to assess the reliability of K-feldspar pIR50IR170 dating, including anomalous fading tests, dose recovery, and residual dose tests. The K-feldspar pIR50IR170 ages, determined using the Minimum Age Model (MAM), indicate that during the early Holocene, glaciations have expanded by ∼800 m in length at ∼ 8 ka, and during the end of the Neoglacial period, they extended by ∼200 m in length at ∼ 1 ka. The strengthened ISM precipitation and northward movement of ISM boundary likely contributed to the glacial expansion in the early Holocene. During the end of the Neoglacial period, the increase in westerlies precipitation and cold events may have played a role in the advancement of glaciers.

Further investigation of spatially resolved single grain quartz OSL and TL signals

The use of luminescence signals from single mineral grains for optical dating has become a valuable and frequently utilised tool in Quaternary Geochronology. Single grain luminescence dating is particularly beneficial in complex depositional settings, however the ability to measure single grain signals offers the opportunity to assess intrinsic luminescence properties of individual mineral grains. The use of spatially resolved luminescence technologies such as an electron multiplier charge coupled device is of benefit when making luminescence measurements at single grain scales because they allow stimulation with light emitting diodes, and this offers a number of key benefits related to stimulation power when it comes to the assessment of characteristics such as optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) decay rate and the calculation of parameters such as the fast ratio and photo ionisation cross-sections. In this paper, the intra- and inter-sample variability of sensitised single grain thermoluminescence (TL) and OSL signals is considered. A comparison between TL and OSL signals is undertaken, as well as calculation of the fast ratio, OSL component photo ionisation cross-sections, thermal stability, and characteristic dose for a suite of quartz samples from a range of geographic locations and depositional settings. For these heated signals, key findings include the lack of relationship between OSL signal intensity and dominance of the fast component, the fitting of two components (a fast and slow component) is the most common fit for single grain OSL signals, characteristic doses from fast dominated signals suggesting saturation at c. 150 Gy, and the identification of the ultrafast OSL component. Intra-sample variability across all measured parameters is observed, suggesting that for this suite of samples, variability is the norm rather than the exception, and that the intrinsic luminescence characteristics of quartz are variable and diverse.

Chronology of late Holocene sediments related to the Qicheng ruins in central China

The Qicheng city wall is located in Puyang, Henan Province, China, and it is an important archaeological site from the Neolithic period in the North China Plain region. A trench across the northwest corner of the city wall revealed an 11 m thick sediment sequence, closely associated with human activities, which provides valuable records for the dating and environmental evolution of the site. In this study, we have applied field geological investigation, grain size analysis, optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating, and radiocarbon (14C) dating to reveal the history and changes in the site. The ancient city wall was built on the sedimentary sequence (U1) of the high terrace of the Ancient Yellow River. The upper 11 m thick sedimentary sequence (U2) recorded early moat sedimentation (U2L) and was followed by three cycles of paleosol-flooding deposits (U2U). The quartz OSL signals of the U2 silts are extremely bright, indicating high sensitivity. Partial bleaching was observed as well. The quartz OSL single-grain SAR dating results are consistent with that of charcoal 14C dating and are closer to the ‘true’ burial ages of the sediments than those obtained with multiple grains. By using a Bayesian statistical model, a chronological framework for the U2 sedimentary sequence was established. The earliest construction date of the Qicheng city wall is dating to 2100–1300 BC, during the late Longshan period, which is consistent with archaeological evidence (Li et al., 2015). The Qicheng city was not significantly affected by paleo-flooding prior to 870–960 AD, but experiences frequent flooding thereafter.

A formation record of modern Nitraria tangutorum nebkhas on the Ordos Plateau of northern China based on optically stimulated luminescence dating

Nebkhas, as special biologically mediated aeolian landforms, play an important role in indicating regional aeolian activities and aeolian environmental changes. The Ordos Plateau is located in arid and semiarid regions of northern China that have a wide distribution of Nitraria tangutorum nebkhas. There are few chronological records of nebkha formation, so the history of the formation and evolution of nebkhas in the plateau is still unclear. In addition, the optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating method, which has been widely used in the dating of Holocene aeolian sediments, has not yet been applied to the dating of nebkha sediments in the Ordos Plateau. In this study, OSL methods were used to discuss the formation age and relevant aeolian activities of Nitraria tangutorum nebkhas in the Ordos Plateau. The results demonstrated that (1) the coarse-grained quartz OSL signals of nebkha sediments were insensitive and thus were inapplicable by the single aliquot regenerative (SAR) protocol. (2) The luminescence characteristics of the K-feldspar fraction and internal checks of the post-infrared infrared-stimulated (pIRIR) dating indicated that the pIR50IR170 protocol with 200 °C of preheating was applicable for De determinations of nebkha sediments. (3) The residual doses of the pIRIR170 signals ranging from 0.02 to 0.14 Gy should be considered when calculating De values. (4) Bayesian age-depth models were used for the Nitraria tangutorum nebkha sedimentary sequences. The formation of nebkhas occurred during a relatively dry climate period accompanied by strong aeolian activity. That ∼0.38 ka was the main growth period of Nitraria tangutorum nebkhas. This study is the first report of the formation age of nebkhas of more than one hundred years in the region.

Chronology by luminescence and radiocarbon on core sediments from the northeastern pearl river plain and implications for delta process

Accurate dating is the basis for deciphering eustatic and climatic changes on deltaic sedimentary processes. In the Pearl River Delta (PRD) plain of south China, scarce robust chronology hinders the detailed interpretation of sedimentary history. In this study, quartz optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) (21 samples), feldspar post-IR IRSL (pIRIR) (4 samples) and radiocarbon (14C) (2 samples) dating were applied to obtain detailed chronological framework of core SXG06 (23-m long to bedrock) from the northeastern PRD. SXG06 consists an upper marine unit (M1) and a lower marine unit (M2), separated by a terrestrial unit (mottled clay, T1). For M1, quartz OSL and 14C samples yielded ages from 5.2 ± 0.3 to 0.32 ± 0.02 ka. The sample on top of T1 produced a quartz OSL age of 35 ± 2 ka. For other 12 samples in T1 and M2, quartz OSL signals reached saturation and generated minimum ages (>51 ka). For these the saturated quartz OSL samples, feldspar pIR50IR250 provides an age range of 123 ± 7–105 ± 7 ka. The compilation of all the above ages and previous sedimentology data reveals that: (1) M2 was formed during marine transgression of Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 5; (2) A hiatus with an age gap of between ∼35 ka and ∼5 ka was observed, which might be due to the low sea level and resultant weathering scouring; (3) Initial M1 deposits from the northeastern PRD postdated the central and southern PRD by ∼3 ka, indicating delayed delta development in the northeastern PRD during the Holocene. (4) SXG06 experienced slow deposition 0.3 m/ka in ∼5–3 ka because of the coevally decreased sediment supply, followed by accelerated deposition rate of 3 m/ka after ∼3 ka associated with strengthen human activity.

Underestimated single-aliquot quartz OSL ages of Late-Pleistocene sediments due to the dominance of medium component

Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating technique has increasingly been employed to establish chronologies for coastal deposits since the Late Pleistocene. However, the commonly used single-aliquot quartz OSL dating method may yield inaccurate ages due to factors such as partial bleaching, luminescence characteristics, and the age limit of quartz. In this study, taking the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) as an example, single-aliquot and single-grain OSL dating using varying grain-sized quartz and K-feldspar were cross-checked to establish appropriate dating method for Late-Pleistocene sediments in coastal areas. The quartz OSL signals of the upper 24 m Holocene sediments were dominated by the fast component, and the ages obtained through OSL and AMS 14C ages agree. Conversely, the lower 24–91 m section, representing the last glacial-interglacial cycle, reveals a notable underestimation of quartz OSL ages, with a maximum underestimation of 250%, attributed to the influence of signal components. For samples within the dating limit of quartz (less than 70 ka), the single-grain method effectively mitigates the issue associated with the signal component. Single-grain K-feldspar technique proves valuable for accurately determining the age of those older sediments exceeding 70 ka. Through cross-checking between different OSL dating methods, sediments initially attributed to marine isotope stage (MIS) 3 (36–60 ka) are re-identified as deposited during MIS 5 (80–130 ka). This study highlights the necessity of assessing the variability in luminescence characteristics before applying a single OSL dating protocol to all samples from different sedimentary facies within a single core.

Improved separation of quartz optically stimulated luminescence from a mixed sample using pulsed green light

In the luminescence dating of samples containing both quartz and feldspar (e.g. fine silt, or unseparated rock), the infra-red stimulated luminescence (IRSL) from feldspar is most often used, even though the luminescence characteristics of the OSL from quartz are better understood, and quartz OSL is known to be more stable than feldspar IRSL and more readily reset when exposed to daylight. Unfortunately, in almost all unseparated samples giving both quartz and feldspar luminescence signals, the feldspar OSL (stimulated by blue or green wavelengths) intensity is similar to, or greater than, that from quartz. Separation of quartz and feldspar signals has been achieved before using prior IR and/or pulsed visible light stimulation. This study investigates whether using pulsed green stimulation after IR stimulation gives better discrimination in favour of quartz optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) than using post-IR pulsed blue stimulation, by using the luminescence response of single mineral rocks (quartzite, potassium feldspar) at various temperatures. The results presented here support the view that pulsed blue and pulsed green stimulation of quartz (quartzite or calibration quartz grains) both excite charge to the conduction band, resulting in only a minor dependence on the temperature of the blue or green stimulation. We also confirm that IR depletes the quartz OSL signal only if undertaken at elevated temperature (>125 °C). In contrast, all 3 light sources can result in luminescence from potassium-rich feldspar, but the post-infrared pulsed blue light stimulated luminescence (post-IR PBSL) signal is significantly less dependent on the prior IR stimulation temperature than the post-infrared pulsed green light stimulated luminescence (post-IR PGSL) signal. This is presumably because green stimulation excites mainly into the band-tails. As a consequence, it is shown that the contribution of feldspar OSL to pulsed-green light stimulated luminescence (PGSL) is reduced more by a prior IR stimulation at elevated temperature, than the corresponding pulsed-blue light stimulated luminescence (PBSL). These results are consistent with the band models used to describe the origins of quartz and feldspar luminescence proposed by previous studies. We conclude that the post-IR PGSL provide better discrimination in favour of quartz OSL than does the corresponding post-IR PBSL, and that this should be taken advantage of in future studies on samples with mixed sources of luminescence.

On the Bleaching Degree of Multi-Grain Coarse Quartz OSL Signal of Near-Surface Aeolian Sediments Around the Tengger Desert: Empirical Investigation and Numerical Validation

In this study, the degree of bleaching of multi-grain coarse quartz optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) signal of near-surface aeolian samples collected around the Tengger Desert is assessed. The single-aliquot regenerative dose (SAR) protocol and the standardized growth curve (SGC) method are applied to measure the equivalent dose (De) of these samples. The bleaching degree of the samples is assessed by investigating 1) the relationship between Ln/Tn and SAR De and 2) the SGC De distribution. Various degrees of heterogeneously-bleached multi-grain dose distributions synthetized with a numerical simulation method is further used to validate the bleaching performance of the samples. It demonstrates that the investigated samples are characterized by tight De distributions and the maximum De estimate is smaller than 1.1 Gy. The numerical simulation method which uses as input a large proportion of fully-bleached grains and a small baseline dose is able to reproduce multi-grain De distributions similar to the measured ones. We conclude that OSL signals of multi-grain coarse quartz extracted from most of the investigated aeolian samples are fully bleached before deposition.

Variation in Luminescence Characteristics and Paramagnetic Defect Centres in Fine-Grained Quartz From a Loess-Palaeosol Sequence in Tajikistan: Implications for Provenance Studies in Aeolian Environments

Trapped charge characteristics in quartz are of increasing interest for their utility as indicators of sediment provenance. These include sensitivity of optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) and thermoluminescence (TL) signal and paramagnetic E1’ defect centre in quartz. Up until now, these methods have largely been used independently in provenance investigations, especially in aeolian systems. Variations in quartz OSL and TL signal sensitivity in loess-palaeosol sequences has been linked to shifts in sediment source corresponding to climatic fluctuations. However, the processes responsible for observed variation in OSL and TL sensitivity in quartz, including its link to the original rock source and/or its sedimentary history, remains a topic of contention. On the other hand, the intensity of E1’ defect centre in quartz is known to reflect the provenance of quartz, and is also routinely utilised as a provenance indicator in aeolian studies. In this study we aim to understand the variations in E1’ intensity and OSL (and TL) sensitivity by direct comparison of these characteristics in fine-grained quartz from a c. 60 m-thick loess-palaeosol sequence in Tajikistan. In doing so, we investigate the natural processes that may have led to variability in trapped-charge characteristics over the c. 500 ky timespan covered by the sequence. Our results suggest that apart from the inherent link to its provenance signature, the observed luminescence sensitivity of quartz especially in loess-palaeosol sequences are largely influenced by depositional and post-depositional processes during soil formation.

Testing the potential of using fine quartz for dating loess in South Island, New Zealand

The applicability of optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating on quartz from South Island, New Zealand is hampered by the poor behaviour of the targeted signals. However, most OSL dating studies have been focused on using coarse quartz fractions. Since a previous study conducted from a nearby site demonstrated that coarse quartz (63–90, 90–125, 125–180 and 180–250 μm) is not suitable for OSL dating, we attempt using fine quartz here. Therefore, the standard SAR protocol was applied on 4–11 μm quartz extracted from a loess/paleosol section. Unlike the coarser fractions, the OSL signal of fine quartz displayed satisfactory characteristics which allowed estimating ages ranging from 0.3 ± 0.04 ka to 16 ± 1 ka. In order to understand the differences between the two quartz fractions, we characterise fine (4–11 μm) as well as the usually used coarser grain sizes (˃ 63 μm) of quartz by electron spin resonance (ESR). No significant differences are reported in qualitative terms between the grain sizes investigated and calibration quartz. We report a higher abundance of intrinsic defects in the fine grain fraction; however, this is typical for quartz from other regions as well, that was amenable for OSL dating. As such, the differences between the fine quartz fraction and the coarse fraction is not yet understood. In addition, two elevated temperature post-infrared infrared protocols (pIRIR225 and pIRIR290) were applied and polymineral grains extracted from the same samples. Despite residual dose corrections being performed using a modern analogue, pIRIR ages overestimate quartz ages by 19–122% in the case of the application of the pIRIR225 protocol and by 25–217% in the case of the application of the pIRIR290 protocol. The effect could not be circumvented by the application of a test dose with a magnitude of 50% of the equivalent dose in the pIRIR290 protocol. In the case of the application of pIRIR290 protocol, dose recovery tests ratios vary from 1.07 ± 0.06 to 1.23 ± 0.05. While not ideal, these results cannot fully explain the differences reported between the ages obtained by fine quartz OSL and the polymineral fine grains pIRIR methods.

The variability of single grain quartz luminescence properties investigated using EMCCD imaging

Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) signals from individual quartz grains are frequently used for equivalent dose and age determination in luminescence dating. Typically, signals from individual grains are stimulated with a focussed solid-state laser and detected via a photomultiplier tube. In contrast to the light-emitting diodes (LEDs) usually used when stimulating multiple-grain aliquots, the laser has a much higher stimulation power density. An absolute value for the effective stimulation power cannot easily be quantified, and the power delivered to each grain cannot be considered consistent throughout a measurement sequence. Both intra- and inter-sample variability in single grain luminescence signals parameters such as dose response form, decay rate, and sensitivity have long been recognised, however there remains uncertainty over how much of this variability is intrinsic to quartz grains or whether some should be attributed to variation in the effective stimulation power associated with the laser system. To better characterise intrinsic variability of single quartz OSL signals, an electron multiplier charge coupled device (EMCCD) attachment for the Risø reader was used for detecting and imaging luminescence signals. Whilst the EMCCD system currently offers a lower detection sensitivity when compared to the laser system, the ability to use LEDs for stimulation of the OSL signal circumvents the power variability associated with the laser system and allows an investigation of intrinsic variability to be made. In this paper, signal intensity and the composition of components in single grain luminescence signals are considered, and curve deconvolution is undertaken to calculate photo ionisation cross-sections for single grain quartz signals. For the samples considered, intra-sample variability in these characteristics is observed in single grain quartz luminescence signals imaged using an EMCCD.

The Oyambre coastal terrace: a detailed sedimentary record of the Last Interglacial Stage in northern Iberia (Cantabrian coast, Spain).

ABSTRACTA detailed study is presented of a 15.3‐m‐thick Pleistocene coastal terrace located on the Cantabrian coast (northern Spain). Stratigraphic, sedimentological, topographic and micropalaeontological information is combined with a chronology based on luminescence dating to characterize the deposits. The sedimentary succession records: (i) a basal transgressive system, consisting of a wave‐cut surface covered by a lower layer of beach gravels and upper beach pebbly sands; and (ii) a thicker upper highstand system (aggrading), comprising medium to very fine aeolian sands interbedded with thin palustrine muds. Luminescence dating involved a detailed sampling strategy (36 samples and two modern analogues) and the use of both quartz optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) and feldspar post‐infrared infrared stimulated luminescence single aliquot regeneration protocols; feldspar results were used to confirm the completeness of bleaching of the quartz OSL signal. The quartz OSL luminescence age–depth relationship shows significant dispersion, but nevertheless two rapid phases of deposition can be clearly identified: one at ~130 ka [Marine Oxygen Isotope Stage (MIS) 5] and one at ~100 ka (MIS 5c). The top of the succession is dated to ~70 ka. The MIS 5e marine maximum flooding surface is identified at an elevation of 6.85 m above mean seal level. This elevation provides evidence of a regional sea‐level highstand for this sector of the Cantabrian coast.

First reliable chronology for the Early Khvalynian Caspian Sea transgression in the Lower Volga River valley

During the late Quaternary, dramatic changes in relative sea level (~170 m) are known to have occurred in the Caspian Sea. However, all previous attempts at resolving the uncertainty associated with the timing of these transgressive/regressive events, primarily using radiocarbon, have produced inconclusive or controversial results. Here we present the first reliable chronology for the largest known transgression (Early Khvalynian). This was derived using optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) analysis of sand‐sized quartz, with support from infrared stimulated luminescence (IRSL) from K‐rich feldspar grains, all extracted from 16 sediment samples collected along the Lower Volga River. These samples were taken from loessic sediments, marine clays (known as Chocolate Clays) and the overlying modern soils exposed at three sections (Srednyaya Akhtuba, Raygorod, Leninsk) ~200 km upstream of the present‐day estuary. The differential bleaching rates of the quartz OSL and feldspar IRSL signals were used to evaluate the degree of resetting of quartz (and feldspar) signals; it was possible to conclude that all signals, and particularly quartz OSL, were sufficiently reset at deposition to allow accurate age estimation. Our results show unambiguously that the Early Khvalynian marine Chocolate Clays present at all three sections were deposited post‐LGM, between ~17 and ~13.1 ka ago. These age estimates are further constrained by those from the overlying Kastanozem soils (9.6–0.7 ka) and underlying loess‐soil series (32–19 ka), confirming a young (17–13 ka) age of the transgressive stage of the Early Khvalynian. Relative sea level during this period must have been well above the sampling altitudes of 11.7 m a.s.l. (Srednyaya Akhtuba), 11.3 m a.s.l. (Raygorod) and 4.7 m a.s.l. (Leninsk) to explain the absence of significant alluvial sand and to allow the deposition of the fine Chocolate Clays marker horizon.

An alpine meadow soil chronology based on OSL and radiocarbon dating, Qinghai Lake, northeastern Tibetan Plateau

Extensive alpine meadow soil on the Tibetan Plateau (TP) plays a core role in the local ecological system, however, its ages of formation and pedogenic processes are relatively poorly understood. In this study, we reconstructed a soil development chronology for two alpine meadow soil sections on Riyue Mountain, southeast of Qinghai Lake (QHL), using quartz optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) and potassium-rich feldspar (K-feldspar) post-infrared infrared stimulated luminescence (post-IR IRSL, pIRIR) techniques. In addition, accelerator mass spectrometry 14C analysis of soil organic matter (SOM) was used to date alpine meadow soil profiles on Xiangpi Mountain, southwest of QHL. Bulk samples were collected from Riyue Mountain profiles for determination of soil grain size and magnetic susceptibility. The results show: (1) Consistency of quartz OSL and K-feldspar pIRIR ages, indicating both the quartz OSL and K-feldspar pIRIR signal for alpine meadow soil samples are well bleached before burial. (2) SOM radiocarbon ages most likely underestimate sample age due to modern organic contamination from plant roots. (3) A lower limit on alpine meadow soil development after the last deglaciation based on OSL dating of bottom deposits, and an upper limit of before 1450 ± 80 cal BP from radiocarbon dating of the upper SOM; alpine meadow soils developed mainly during the late Holocene (4–0 ka) on the mountains around QHL. (4) The grain size characteristics of alpine meadow soil are similar to atmospheric dust and loess at QHL; the rapid aeolian accumulation in the late Holocene implies conditions of relative arid and cold climate.

Absolute Dating of Past Seismic Events Using the OSL Technique on Fault Gouge Material—A Case Study of the Nojima Fault Zone, SW Japan

AbstractThis study is the first part of a comprehensive paleoseismic study in the Nojima Fault Zone (NFZ), the seismogenic fault of the 1995 Mw 6.9 Kobe (Japan) earthquake, which explores the use of the luminescence dating method for understanding past faulting time and assessing the activity of faults developed in basement rocks. Our approach is focused on methodological aspects of the optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) technique and reports on a series of ages of fault gouge samples. Our analysis revealed that (1) quartz OSL signals have been reset (at least partially) during past seismic faulting events, (2) fault gouge layers bounded by sharp fault planes are younger than gouge layers far from the main fault planes, and (3) the most recent seismic faulting, affecting the different gouge layers on the Nojima fault took place from 62.8 ± 4.3 ka to 18.5 ± 1.3 ka, while on the Asano fault from 139.3 ± 8.9 ka to 45.8 ± 3 ka, with these ages representing maximum possible ages. In this regard, this is the first successful absolute dating attempt on the NFZ using quartz grains and the only luminescence study, as yet known, producing a series of ages representing neotectonic activity of the Nojima and Asano faults during the late Pleistocene and middle to late Pleistocene, respectively. The present work has indicated that OSL is potentially a promising technique for dating fault gouges and assessing the activity of faults, although more work is needed for further refinement.

A comparison of multiple luminescence chronometers at Voordrag, South Africa

Abstract A suite of 10 samples collected from an 11 m thick colluvial sequence at Voordrag, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, have been used to undertake a comparison of different luminescence methods. Good agreement is found between single grain quartz optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) and single grain K-feldspar post-infrared infrared-stimulated luminescence (post-IR IRSL) ages, with the exception of the basal samples where the quartz OSL signal is saturated. Multiple grain quartz OSL consistently yields ages older than single grain OSL methods. Multiple grain feldspar ages derived from the IRSL50 signal are underestimated due to anomalous fading. A previously published radiocarbon chronology yields ages that are younger than those from single grain quartz OSL and post-IR IRSL, and this is most likely due to contamination with younger carbon. Identifying the effect of saturation on the quartz OSL signal remains challenging when quartz is dated in isolation. However, using a paired quartz/feldspar dating approach is an effective way of identifying the impact of saturation on the OSL signal.

Experimental investigations on dating the last earthquake event using OSL signals of quartz from fault gouges

Obtaining a reliable age of the latest seismic slip event along an active fault is important for seismic hazard assessment. Here, we observe changes in the optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) signal of quartz crystals due to frictional heating in artificial fault gouges (comprising a mixture of quartz grains and Ca-bentonite powder). The fault gouge was deformed using a high-velocity rotary-shear apparatus at room temperature and room humidity. At a seismic slip rate of 1.31 m·s−1, intense slip localization occurred along a very thin layer (~300 μm thick) within the simulated fault zones (1 mm thick). The estimated temperature of the slip-localized layer (SLL) increased by ~475 °C from frictional heating. The quartz OSL signals of the gouges were fully reset, most noticeably for the SLL. In contrast, there was rare slip-localization at subseismic slip rates (0.06–0.001 m·s−1), for which the estimated temperature rise in the SLL was ~120 °C; hence, the quartz OSL signal was not reset under this condition. The results suggest that quartz OSL dating can be used to constrain the age of the latest seismic event in natural quartz-bearing fault zones where a SLL occurs.

Constraining the transgression history in the Bohai Coast China since the Middle Pleistocene by luminescence dating

Three phases of transgression have been identified in the Middle to Late Pleistocene sedimentary succession in the Bohai Sea, northern China, which is considered to be key information for understanding environmental evolution and marine-terrestrial interaction in the East Asia. However, the timing of these transgressions still remains controversial. In this study, luminescence dating was performed on a core drilled in the North Bohai Coast to establish a reliable chronological framework of the transgression-regression cycles. After validating the applicability of luminescence dating for the Bohai sediments, quartz optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) and K-feldspar post-infrared (IR) IRSL (pIRIR) signals with elevated temperatures at 150, 225 and 290 °C were employed for dating the sediment core. The quartz OSL signal used for the upper 25 m of the sediment core was well-bleached, yielding finite ages within ca. 50 ka, whilst the K-feldspar pIRIR225 signal was also well-bleached for the Pleistocene samples with an extended dating limit to ca. 300 ka. The luminescence ages of ca. 200 ka and ca. 7.0–0.2 ka indicated that the lowermost and uppermost of three transgression units likely represent sea-level highstand during Marine Isotope Stages (MIS) 7 and 1, respectively, which were also evidenced by the consistency between the reconstructed palaeo-topography elevation and the contemporaneous global mean sea-level. Our luminescence ages of the second transgressive unit suggest it has a MIS 3 origin, being consistent with previous studies, but this appears to be unlikely as the level of the unit is significantly above the interstadial sea-level in the MIS 3. Further high-resolution luminescence dating of the second transgression is thus required.

Comparing the accuracy and precision of luminescence ages for partially-bleached sediments using single grains of K-feldspar and quartz

Glacial settings are considered to be the most challenging context for the application of luminescence dating. The optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) signal of quartz is often preferred for luminescence dating in partially-bleached settings as it resets (or bleaches) more rapidly in response to sunlight than the post-IR IRSL (pIRIR) signal of K-feldspar, and can therefore better characterise the well-bleached part of the partially-bleached De distribution. However, the relative bleaching extents of single grains of quartz and K-feldspar have not yet been compared for sedimentary samples from the natural environment. Here we compare the De distributions and accuracy and precision of ages determined using single grains of quartz and K-feldspar from sedimentary samples deposited in a proglacial setting with independent age control. We found that the extent of bleaching of the OSL signal of quartz and pIRIR225 signal of K-feldspar was similar (with similar over-dispersion), and therefore the pIRIR225 signal bleached to similarly low levels as the OSL signal of quartz in this partially-bleached setting. We also observed a consistent offset in over-dispersion between quartz and K-feldspar of ∼10% that can be linked to scatter arising from internal dose-rates of K-feldspar and should be included when applying age models. The results here demonstrate that the accuracy and precision of ages determined using the pIRIR225 signal of single grains of K-feldspar were similar to the OSL signal of quartz. However, K-feldspars were 5–18 times more efficient than quartz at determining the population of interest for age calculation as a larger proportion of K-feldspar grains emitted a detectable luminescence signal in comparison to quartz. These findings contradict our current understanding of the bleaching of K-feldspar and quartz grains in the natural environment, and are likely applicable to other partially-bleached settings (e.g. fluvial, alluvial).