Prylypko, S., S. Alpert. 2023. Mathematical reasoning of age determination of Quaternary
sediments. Geo&Bio, 24: 159–165. [In Ukrainian, with English summary]
Mathematical reasoning of age
determination of Quaternary sediments
[Математичне обґрунтування
визначення віку четвертинних відкладів]
The
possibilities of applying the thermoluminescence method (TL-method) to
investigate Quaternary sediments have been considered. The TL-method is used for dating in archaeology
and geology. It was noted that this
method covers larger age intervals than carbon dating. The TL-method is based
on the measurement of the decay energy of natural radionuclides that are
present in the rock. Therefore, the TL-method
can be applied to the development of methodical and methodological issues of
geochronology. Geochronological methods make it possible to date Quaternary
sediments with a laboratory error of about five percent. Thus, it can be
considered that the practical application of the thermoluminescence method for Quaternary
sediments is highly important. This method provides a more detailed and
accurate display of geochronological events. A new mathematical
approach of age determination of Quaternary sediments applying the TL-method
has been proposed. This new method can be applied for determination of the age
of sediments and for conducting correlations between Neopleistocene sediments
of remote regions. It has been noted that the TL-method of determination of the
‘absolute’ and relative age of Quaternary sediments is based on
the properties of quartz crystals to accumulate energy of decay and to emit it
during heating. It also was noted that quartz crystals as paleodosimeters can
accumulate and preserve the age-related information for a long period of time.
Quartz is the most common natural paleodosimeter. A mathematical formula for the age parameter has been proposed, using the energy
that was accumulated by the investigated sample over time, the velocity of the
formation of radiation defects, and the velocity of annihilation. The mathematical derivation of the
formula for the age parameter is presented. The solution of the differential
equation is described in detail. The proposed approach shows which sediments of
an area are younger and which are older. It is emphasized that the proposed mathematical
approach to the TL-method is effective for age determination of rocks, determining
the sequence of the rock accumulation and for conducting correlation of
different Quaternary sediments from different sections.
Sofiia Alpert; Scientific Centre for Aerospace Research of the
Earth, Institute of Geological Sciences, NAS of Ukraine; 55-b Oles Gonchar Street,
Kyiv, 01054 Ukraine, Email: sonyasonet87@gmail.com
Bøtter-Jensen, L., E. Bulur,
G. A. T. Duller, A. S. Murray. 2000. Advances in luminescence instrument systems.
Radiation Measurements, 32:
523–528.
Gozhik, P., M. Komar, M.
Łanczont, S. Fedorowicz, A. Bogucki, [et al.]. 2014. Paleoenvironmental history
of the Middle Dnieper Area from the Dnieper to Weichselian Glaciation: A case
study of the Maksymivka loess profile. Quaternary
International, 334–335: 94–111.
Greilich, S., G. A. Glasmacher,
G. A. Wagner. 2002. Spatially resolved detection of luminescence: a unique tool
for archaeochronometry. Naturwissenschaften, 89: 371–375.
Greilich, S., G. A. Glasmacher,
G. A. Wagner. 2005. Optical dating of granitic stone surfaces. Archaeometry, 47 (3): 645–665.
Komar, M., O. Krokhmal,
K. Derevska, M. Łanczont, P. Mroczek, [et al.]. 2022. Środowisko i klimat w
dolinie Dolnego Dniepru w czasie MIS 64–12 na podstawie danych
paleontologicznych. In: J. Skurzyński,
Z. Jary, M. Błaszkiewicz (red.). Późnoczwartorzędowe
środowiska sedymentacyjne Pomorza Wschodniego (XXVII Konferencja
Naukowo-Szkoleniowa Stratygrafia Plejstocenu Polski, Stara Kiszewa, IGiRR UW), Wrocław,129–131.
Liritzis, I., A. Vafiadou,
N. Zacharias, G. S. Polymeris, R. G. Bednarik. 2013.Advances in surface luminescence dating: new
data from selected monuments. Mediterranean Archaeology and
Archaeometry, 13 (3): 105–115.
Prylypko, S. K., S. I. Alpert. 2019.
Mathematical model of the dynamics of accumulation light sum in subareal
deposits. Ideas and innovations in
geosciences (Conference Proceedings). Kyiv, 90–91.
Singhvi, A. K., V. Mejdahl.
1985. Thermoluminescence dating of sediments. Nuclear Tracks and Radiation
Measurements, 10 (1-2): 137–161.