Luminescence dating of loess deposits from the Remagen-Schwalbenberg site, Western Germany

Abstract

This study describes the luminescence characteristics of quartz of Upper Pleistocene loess of the Middle Rhine area. The loess/palaeosol sequence of the Schwalbenberg near Remagen comprises a multitude of interstadial soils and soil sediments that have been dedicated to the Marine Isotope Stage 3 (MIS 3). These weak calcaric cambisols and their derivates are underlain by loess and soil sediments of MIS 4 to MIS 5 and covered by loess sediments and intercalated gelic gleysols of MIS 2. We applied luminescence dating of quartz and feldspar of drill core samples and observed an age discrepancy within both data sets. The quartz ages were clearly younger than the feldspar ages, because of thermally unstable signal components of the quartz luminescence signal. Therefore, we regarded the quartz samples of the lower parts of the drill core as unsuitable for luminescence dating. This underestimation did not affect the quartz samples of the upper part of the drill core which was indicated by age control that was provided by the Eltville tephra layer. Geochemical analysis based on X-ray fluorescence showed that the sediments in the upper part and the lower part of the drill core have different geogenic finger prints most likely due to changing source areas of dust and sediment allocation. We assumed that these different facies types were the reason for the luminescence behavior of the quartz samples.

Combining Inorganic and Organic Carbon Stable Isotope Signatures in the Schwalbenberg Loess-Palaeosol-Sequence Near Remagen (Middle Rhine Valley, Germany)

“…This OIS 3 sequence was subsequently described as the "Ahrgau Subformation" (Schirmer, 2013) comprising eight interstadial soils embedded with loess, reworked loess and Gelic Gleysols. Apart from the analyses mentioned above, a sediment core (REM 1A) has been investigated by Klasen et al (2015) trying to develop a luminescence chronology approximately 200 m distant to the outcrop (Figure 1). Results suggest differences in LPS formation and/or preservation throughout OIS 2 and OIS 4, whereas the sections covering OIS 3 show comparable composition and thickness further upslope.…”

“…Results suggest differences in LPS formation and/or preservation throughout OIS 2 and OIS 4, whereas the sections covering OIS 3 show comparable composition and thickness further upslope. In addition, Klasen et al (2015) and Profe et al (2016) conducted geochemical analyses by means of x-ray fluorescence measurements. While Klasen et al (2015) assumed changing source areas to cause differences in luminescence behaviour, Profe et al (2016) reconstructed weathering indices and a conceptual model including multiple sediment recycling and sorting effects.…”

“…In addition, Klasen et al (2015) and Profe et al (2016) conducted geochemical analyses by means of x-ray fluorescence measurements. While Klasen et al (2015) assumed changing source areas to cause differences in luminescence behaviour, Profe et al (2016) reconstructed weathering indices and a conceptual model including multiple sediment recycling and sorting effects. In FIGURE 1 | Overview of the Schwalbenberg site in the Lower Middle Rhine Valley, Germany.…”

“…Later on, geochemical investigations (XRF) were performed on samples derived from this outcrop by Profe et al (2016). Sediment core (REM 1A) was obtained in mid-slope position by Klasen et al (2015) trying to develop a luminescence chronology. The 26 m thick sediment core under investigation (REM 3A) is located in interfluve position of the Schwalbenberg.…”

Direct and indirect luminescence dating of tephra: A review

“…Most studies that try to date unknown tephras indirectly or use tephra deposits as independent age control for their geochronological investigations work with aeolian sediments, in particular loess and dune sediments (Hilgers et al ., ; Westgate et al ., ; Demuro et al ., ; Fitzsimmons et al ., ; Veres et al ., ; Klasen et al ., ; Bösken et al ., ). However, research on lacustrine (Shulmeister et al ., ; Shane et al ., ; Blegen et al ., ; Karatson et al ., ), marine (Sugisaki et al ., ; Buylaert et al ., ), and glacial sediments (Kondo et al ., ) was also conducted successfully.…”