Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) Signal Intensity of Quartz E₁′ Centre and Its Potential Use in Fluvial Sediments Provenance Tracing

Abstract

To assess if the heat-treated E 1' centre in quartz is suitable for fluvial sediment provenance tracing, eight granitic samples from sediments and their source rocks with distinct geological ages and origins were collected for electron spin resonance (ESR) measurements. The results show that the maximum heat-treated E 1' signal intensity of quartz in the fluvial sediments occurs upon heating at about 300°C, as previously observed in aeolian quartz. The heat-treated E 1' signal intensity of quartz in sediment samples also shows significant correspondence to those of their source rocks as well as their formation age. We propose that the heat-treated E 1' centre of sedimentary quartz, combined with other lithological discrimination parameters, could serve as an effective indicator for fluvial sediment provenance tracing.