The geochronology of the “Gorjanović loess section” in Vukovar, Croatia

Along the right bank of the Danube River in Croatia up to 30 m thick loess–palaeosol sequences are exposed. A detailed geochronological study was performed on the “Gorjanović loess section” at Vukovar by the means of infrared stimulated luminescence (IRSL) dating. The section consists of loess intercalated by three palaeosols and a tephra layer. Fourteen samples were collected and dated using the elevated temperature post-IR IRSL protocol, a modified single aliquot regenerative dose (SAR) protocol, for the equivalent dose (De) determination on fine-grained polymineral material. Both the IRSL signal at 50 °C and the post-IR IRSL signal at 225 °C were recorded. Fading tests were performed for both signals and the ages were fading-corrected. The loess/palaeosol sequence can be correlated to the penultimate glacial - last interglacial - last glacial period (MIS6–MIS2). An even older loess record at the site under study was previously described but is not exposed anymore owing to the embankment. The fading-corrected IRSL and the fading-corrected post-IR IRSL results are in excellent agreement. The post-IR IRSL signal at 225 °C shows less fading than the IRSL signal at 50 °C and can successfully be used for the dating of older loess.