On the dose-rate estimate of carbonate-rich sediments for trapped charge dating

In a wide range of environmental conditions sediments are subject to changing water content and carbonate cementation during burial. Trapped charge dating of these carbonate-rich deposits requires the determination of a dose rate which is not constant during burial because sediments were subject to post-depositional geochemical alterations. The dose-rate model established in this study assumes linear increase of carbonate mass and linear decrease of water mass in pores between sediment particles during burial. Numerical modelling assesses the effect of carbonate and water on the infinite-matrix dose rate as a function of time. Sensitivity testing of the system indicated that water and carbonate content have the greatest effect on the resulting dose rate, followed by the timing of onset and completion of carbonate formation. As a consequence, a comprehensive re-calculation of the water correction factors was undertaken. It revealed a 5% lower value for the annual beta dose and a 10% lower value for the annual gamma dose compared to values formulated by Zimmerman [1971. Thermoluminescence dating using fine grains from pottery. Archaeometry 13, 29–52].The dose-rate model was tested using samples from geologically well-constrained coastal sites. The differences between onset and final dose rate were up to 30% resulting in differences between modelled and conventional optical ages between 2% and 15% depending on the final (today's) water and carbonate content. The divergence of dates may be greater under certain conditions. The dose-rate model can be applied to a wide range of contexts similar to those considered in this case study.