Piotr Moska

OSL dating and lithological characteristics of loess deposits from Biały Kościół

Absolute dating using luminescence methods is widely applicable in geology, geomorphology, palaeogeography and in archaeology in establishing ages of sediments and archaeological artefacts. By creating absolute time scales for different events in the history of Earth scientists are able to reconstruct changes in climate and environment in the past, and the history of colonization and development of culture.Grain size is the most important loess lithologic property. Grain size composition depends mainly on factors connected with depositional processes (i.e. variety of source areas, distance from source areas, frequency and intensity of dust transporting winds). The influence of post depositional processes on changes in grain size composition seems to be of less importance with the exceptions for warm and long periods of intensive pedogenesis, which are favorable for formation of clay minerals. Therefore the grain size differentiation within thick loess sections may be used as a proxy record of climate changes during loess cover development.Here we present results for 12 samples dated at the profile at Biały Kościół. Obtained OSL results in some cases are quite different as compared with the OSL and TL dates obtained during last 10 years by other authors and presented in previous publications relating to this loess profile.

Optical dating and sedimentary record from the terrace depositional profile of the Warta River (Central Poland)

Results of OSL dating and sedimentary studies from the profile of the low alluvial terrace of the middle Warta River are presented. The samples were dated using the single-aliquot regenera-tive method. Dating was used to establish a timing of the Weichselian Late Glacial events in the river valley environment. Stable conditions on the floodplain are expressed by the deposition of organic-rich series radiocarbon dated at 12 900-12 600 cal BP and 11 600-10 770 cal BP. Samples for OSL dating were collected from the mineral material deposited during the intensification of flood events during the Weichselian decline. The results obtained for the alluvia range from 12.78 ± 0.62 ka b2k to 14.33 ± 0.74 ka b2k. Sedimentological criteria allowed to distinguish between particular flood events. Overestimation of OSL ages is probably a result of rapidity of environmental changes in that time.

OSL chronostratigraphy for loess deposits from Tyszowce – Poland

Abstract The presented work concerns a loess profile located in Tyszowce, in the eastern part of Poland on the Volyn Upland, close to the Ukrainian border. The investigated loess formation is well preserved and is characterised by clear stratigraphic units providing an opportunity to refine the loess chronostratigraphy in Poland. In the paper, we present luminescence ages of loess from the last glacial cycle in SE Poland (up to about 100 ka) together with seven radiocarbon ages. Twenty-one samples were collected and dated using infrared (post-IR IRSL) and blue light stimulated luminescence dating. Two fractions were used, namely polymineral fine grains (4–11 μm) and medium sized quartz grains (45–63 μm). The obtained luminescence ages show very good agreement of both methods in relation to loess deposits, however for the fossil soil units the post-IR IRSL method yields older ages. Radiocarbon dates also confirm luminescence chronostratigraphy for younger units. Moreover, the luminescence results are supported by detailed analyses of grain size distribution, carbonate content and magnetic susceptibility variations allowing to create a comprehensive picture of chronological evolution of this site.

COMBINED IRSL/OSL DATING ON FINE GRAINS FROM LAKE BAIKAL SEDIMENTS

Combined IRSL/OSL Dating on Fine Grains from Lake Baikal Sediments In this work we present luminescence dating results obtained for samples taken from a gravity core of sediments of the Lake Baikal. The initial attempts to date coarse quartz grains failed because such grains were very sparse and dim. Fine grain quartz was also relatively dim and only IRSL signal from fine grain polymineral fraction was sufficient to obtain absorbed dose estimates. We made the measurements on 6-12 μm fraction extracted by differential precipitation in a water column. Samples were collected from the sediment depth range between 80-750 cm which, basing on paleomagnetic data, were expected to cover the period up to ca. 150 ka. The equivalent absorbed doses measured by means of OSL grow with depth down to 350 cm where they reach about 100-120 Gy and then apparently saturate. For the depth range 80-350 cm IRSL ages also grow almost linearly from 11 to 50 ka. Calibrated radiocarbon ages obtained for micro samples of pollen from the same site yielded an average sedimentation rate of 6.86±0.21 cm/ka for the period between 15-1 ka BP. This is in good agreement with the sedimentation rate deduced from IRSL dating (6.15±0.55).

Luminescence chronostratigraphy for the loess deposits in Złota, Poland

Abstract Loess formations in Poland display a close relationship with cooling and warming trends of the Northern Hemisphere during the Pleistocene. Loess sequences sensitively record regional palaeoclimatic and palaeoecological changes. The Złota loess profile (21°39’E, 50°39’N) provides a unique opportunity to reconstruct climate conditions in the past in this part of Poland. This continuous sequence of loess and palaeosol deposits allows to distinguish between warmer and more humid climate which is favourable for soil development and much colder and dry periods which are conducive to loess accumulation. The silty and sandy aeolian material originates mainly from weathered rock surfaces affected by frost shattering or from glaciofluvial/fluvial deposits of river flood plains. In Poland, loess and loess-like formations occur in the southern part of the country, mostly in the south polish uplands, i.e. in the Lublin, Sandomierz, and Cracow Uplands. We used different techniques to establish a chronological framework for this site. 21 samples for luminescence dating were collected from the investigated loess profile in Złota. Infrared post-IR IRSL dating method was applied to the polymineral fine grains (4–11µm). The dating results are accompanied by detailed analyses of the geochemical composition, organic carbon and carbonate. Also, analysis of magnetic susceptibility and grain-size distribution were investigated. Based on such a large stratigraphic dataset an age-depth model using OxCal has also been constructed for this site.

The Epigravettian and the Magdalenian in Poland: New chronological data and an old problem

Abstract The aim of the paper is to present a new chronological model of recolonisation of the area located north of the Sudetes and the Carpathians after Late Glacial Maximum (LGM). Until recently, it was believed that reoccupation of these areas occurred only due to the Magdalenian people. New chronometric data (radiocarbon and optoluminescence ones) coming from the Magdalenian and Epigravettian sites together with the application of Bayesian modelling of new records allowed us to present another model. In the light of the new research, it seems that the groups classified as the Epigravettian and Magdalenian could have coexisted at the same time in the same areas. The new model states that it is possible to assume coexistence of these groups during the period of 2300 years between 16500 and 14200 years BP.

Optically stimulated luminescence techniques applied to the dating of the fall of meteorites in Morasko

Abstract Geological materials used for luminescence dating and associated with the fall of meteorites on the Earth’s surface are extremely rare. The Morasko region has gained fame over the past 100 years because of a cosmic catastrophe which took place there. After thousands of years, the remains of a large metal meteorite which fell in this area have been found. In this article, we would like to state whether it is possible, using luminescence methods, to determine the moment when the iron meteorite fell on the surface of the Earth. The material which was analysed consisted of meteorite crust layers – melt/fusion and “semi melt/fusion”, including sintered ones, along with the sediments surrounding the meteorite. The final results are connected with four objects of different sizes (large ones and small shrapnel – 261 kg, 34 kg, 970 g and 690 g). The obtained results show a large discrepancy, which is most likely associated with the problem of resetting the luminescence signal of the tested materials.