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. 2023 Jun 13;14:3193. doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-38715-y

Table 3.

pIR-IRSL coarse grain and polymineral fine-grained dating of sediments at Tam Pà Ling: dose rate data, equivalent doses, and age estimates

(A) Alpha and beta counting
Sample Depth Gamma Beta Cosmic-ray Int/alpha Water Total Accepted Equivalent
codea dose rate dose rate dose rate dose rate content dose rate /run Techniqueg dose Age
(m) (Gy ka−1)b (Gy ka−1)b (Gy ka−1)c (Gy ka−1)d (%)e (Gy ka−1) aliquotsf (Gy)h,i (ka)i
TPL12 5.72 1.670 ± 0.080 1.578 ± 0.066 0.013 ± 0.001 0.72 ± 0.10 30/30 ± 2 3.982 ± 0.186 13/24 pIR-IRSL270 266 ± 14 67 ± 5
TPL13 6.00 1.453 ± 0.087 1.206 ± 0.054 0.013 ± 0.001 0.72 ± 0.10 30/30 ± 5 3.392 ± 0.209 5/32 pIR-IRSL270 240 ± 50 71 ± 16
1.453 ± 0.087 1.327 ± 0.052 0.013 ± 0.001 0.20 ± 0.04 30/30 ± 5 2.995 ± 0.179 9/13 PFG 194 ± 57 65 ± 19
TPL14 6.30 1.777 ± 0.083 1.623 ± 0.069 0.013 ± 0.001 0.72 ± 0.10 34/30 ± 5 4.133 ± 0.236 13/34 pIR-IRSL270 307 ± 41 74 ± 11
1.777 ± 0.083 1.786 ± 0.065 0.013 ± 0.001 0.24 ± 0.07 34/30 ± 5 3.812 ± 0.200 10/12 PFG 240 ± 44 63 ± 12
TPL15 6.67 1.591 ± 0.051 1.588 ± 0.073 0.013 ± 0.001 0.72 ± 0.10 40/30 ± 5 3.912 ± 0.212 4/8 pIR-IRSL270 313 ± 36 80 ± 10
1.591 ± 0.051 1.747 ± 0.032 0.013 ± 0.001 0.35 ± 0.09 40/30 ± 5 3.450 ± 0.190 6/11 PFG 295 ± 20 86 ± 8
(B) High-resolution gamma spectrometry
Sample 238U 226Ra 210Pb 228Ra 228Th 40K Water Total Equivalent
codej content dose ratek Techniquel dosem Agen
(Bq/kg) (Bq/kg) (Bq/kg) (Bq/kg) (Bq/kg) (Bq/kg) (%) (Gy ka−1) (Gy) (ka)
TPL14 69 ± 11 52.9 ± 4.7 67.5 ± 11.3 86.7 ± 8.4 96.2 ± 9.3 395 ± 54 34/30 ± 5 3.868 ± 0.316 pIR-IRSL270 307 ± 41 79 ± 13
69 ± 11 52.9 ± 4.7 67.5 ± 11.3 86.7 ± 8.4 96.2 ± 9.3 395 ± 54 34/30 ± 5 3.537 ± 0.309 PFG 240 ± 44 68 ± 14
TPL15 66 ± 10 57.4 ± 5.2 55.9 ± 9.5 93.3 ± 8.4 89.9 ± 9.9 512 ± 59 40/30 ± 5 3.891 ± 0.314 pIR-IRSL270 313 ± 36 80 ± 11
66 ± 10 57.4 ± 5.2 55.9 ± 9.5 93.3 ± 8.4 89.9 ± 9.9 512 ± 59 40/30 ± 5 3.667 ± 0.323 PFG 295 ± 20 80 ± 9

aSamples processed using the 90–125 µm size fraction or polymineral fine grains (4–11 µm). Figure 3 contains the sampling locations.

bBeta dose rates were estimated using a Geiger–Muller beta counting of dried and powdered sediment samples, gamma dose rates were estimated using thick source alpha counting measurements of dried and powdered sediment samples in the laboratory. The difference between these measurements was used to estimate potassium values.

cTime-averaged cosmic-ray dose rates (for dry samples), each assigned an uncertainty of ± 10%.

dAn internal dose rate of 0.72 ± 0.10 Gy/ka was estimated for all 90–125 µm feldspar grains. Mean ± total (1σ) uncertainty, calculated as the quadratic sum of the random and systematic uncertainties. For fine grains this column represents the alpha dose rate based on an effective alpha value for polymineral fine grains of 0.10 ± 0.0192. For all fine-grain dosimetry, no attenuation of beta was included47.

eField/time-averaged water contents, expressed as (mass of water/mass of dry sample) × 100. The latter values were used to correct the external gamma and beta dose rates.

fTotal number of aliquots processed verses number of accepted aliquots- with an average acceptance rate of ~15–50%

gpIR-IRSL270 indicates coarse grain feldspars using 90–125 µm grains, PFG represents a polymineral fine-grain measurement on small 4–11 µm grains.

hEquivalent doses include a ± 2% systematic uncertainty associated with laboratory beta-source calibrations and represents a fading corrected De. Fading corrections according to ref. 86

iUncertainties at 68% confidence interval.

jHigh-resolution gamma spectrometry to estimate the U, Th, and K concentrations in the dried and powdered sample, provide a comparison of dose rate, and to test the degree of disequilibrium occurring at the site. HRGS was only measured for samples TPL14 and TPL15. All other parameters such as cosmic dose rate, internal dose rate/alpha dose rate and number of aliquots remain the same as in Table A.

kThe total dose rates for both samples is slightly lower than Table A resulting in a higher age estimate.

lpIR-IRSL270 indicates coarse grain feldspars using 90–125 µm grains, PFG represents a polymineral fine-grain measurement on small 4–11 µm grains.

mThe Equivalent dose represents a fading corrected De. Fading corrections according to ref. 86

nThe age estimates have been calculated using these alternate dose rate estimations.