Paper I: The use of measurement-time dependent single-aliquot equivalent-dose estimates from quartz in the identification of incomplete signal resetting

The identification of incomplete signal re-setting of optically stimulated luminescence signals in sedimentary quartz is a vitally important step in the continued improvement of optical dating. It is shown that narrow spectrum (blue-green) laboratory partial bleaching of aliquots of natural sedimentary quartz has a significant effect on equivalent dose (measured using a single aliquot procedure) calculated as a function of measurement time (D_e(t)). The blue-green stimulation spectrum mimics that found underwater and the results suggest that incomplete re-setting of waterlain sediments may be possible using the D_e(t) method.     

Gas chromatographic–mass spectrometric analysis of polychlorostyrene congener mixtures in sediments,human sera and cord sera

Complex mixtures of polychlorostyrenes are produced and released into the environment by reaction of chlorine with graphite at high temperatures, e.g. in electrodes. The occurrence of these compounds in the environment or human tissues is often indicative of pollution from electrolytic processes. Combined gas chromatography coupled to electron impact and negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry is described here for the analysis of these compounds in sediments, human venous sera and cord sera. This method has allowed a specific congener identification and quantification of the chlorostyrene mixtures present in fluvial sediments polluted by effluents from a chlorine-alkali plant. Besides octachlorostyrene, the mixture of compounds identified involved the six possible heptachlorostyrenes, fifteen hexachlorostyrenes and seven pentachlorostyrenes, having concentrations in the range of 76–16 000 ng g⁻¹ dry weight. In human sera from the population exposed to airborne emissions from this plant these compounds ranged between 17 and 63 ng L⁻¹ and the distributions were dominated by octachlorostyrene, three heptachlorostyrenes, including β,β-2,3,4,5,6-heptachlorostyrene, and α-2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorostyrene. Both distribution patterns showed major differences in composition despite the common pollution source that was influencing both types of samples. The method also revealed qualitative differences between maternal and cord sera from the exposed population.     

Fluvio-mechanical resetting of the Al and Ti centres in quartz

ESR dating of fluvial terraces is usually based on the assumption of sunlight resetting of the Al centres in quartz. Very long bleaching times (months of sunlight exposure) are required to reset this centre to a stable, non-zero ESR intensity. Considering that highly light sensitive optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) analyses of fluvial samples often indicate partial bleaching, ESR dating should be extremely difficult. Two samples were analysed, a fluvial sediment from a Chinese river terrace and an Australian granite. Using a Höhnle sunlight simulator, the Ti centres of both samples were completely bleached within 1 to 65 h, while the Al centre required extreme bleaching times to reach stable residual intensities (∼1000 h). As an alternative to light resetting, tumbler experiments were carried out to simulate fluvial action. The samples were treated under OSL sample preparation conditions. After relatively short tumbling times, corresponding to a few km of fluvial transport, both Al- and Ti-centres were partially reset. In a granite sample, the tumbling reduced the intensity of the Al centre more effectively than light exposure.     

Paper II: The interpretation of measurement-time-dependent single-aliquot equivalent-dose estimates using predictions from a simple empirical model

Narrow spectrum (blue-green) laboratory partial bleaching of aliquots of natural sedimentary quartz has been shown to have a significant effect on equivalent dose (measured using a single aliquot procedure) calculated as a function of measurement time (D_e(t)). A simple model, based on empirical data, is presented in which the effects of partial bleaching on D_e(t) are predicted, taking into account the influences of pre- and post-burial doses. The model is applied to the case of heterogeneous populations of partially bleached single grains with various ranges of residual doses. Modelling shows that under realistic conditions, D_e histogram plots are unable to distinguish between samples having age overestimates and those with correct ages, whereas the proposed D_e–Z plot is able to make this distinction. Furthermore, modelling shows that D_e–Z plots can identify sub-populations of grains/aliquots that show most evidence of full bleaching, which can then be used to estimate a correct mean D_e value.