Optically stimulated luminescence dating of late Holocene raised strandplain sequences adjacent to Lakes Michigan and Superior, Upper Peninsula, Michigan, USA

Abstract

This study evaluates the accuracy of optically stimulated luminescence to date well-preserved strandline sequences at Manistique/Thompson bay (Lake Michigan), and Tahquamenon and Grand Traverse Bays (Lake Superior) that span the past ∼4500 yr. The single aliquot regeneration (SAR) method is applied to produce absolute ages for littoral and eolian sediments. SAR ages are compared against AMS and conventional 14C ages on swale organics. Modern littoral and eolian sediments yield SAR ages <100 yr indicating near, if not complete, solar resetting of luminescence prior to deposition. Beach ridges that yield SAR ages <2000 yr show general agreement with corresponding 14C ages on swale organics. Significant variability in 14C ages >2000 cal yr B.P. complicates comparison to SAR ages at all sites. However, a SAR age of 4280 ± 390 yr (UIC913) on ridge77 at Tahquamenon Bay is consistent with regional regression from the high lake level of the Nipissing II phase ca. 4500 cal yr B.P. SAR ages indicate a decrease in ridge formation rate after ∼1500 yr ago, likely reflecting separation of Lake Superior from lakes Huron and Michigan. This study shows that SAR is a credible alternative to 14C methods for dating littoral and eolian landforms in Great Lakes and other coastal strandplains where 14C methods prove problematic.

Holocene Chronology of the Brattforsheden Delta and Inland Dune Field, Sw Sweden

“…To avoid incomplete bleaching, careful selection of the facies may help: for example both Argyilan et al (2005) and Hyttinen et al (2014) achieved good results from beach-face (foreshore) deposits. However, even if Table 7.…”

“…Where organic material is rare, such as in previously glaciated polar areas, and where raised beaches are common, or where luminescence characteristics allow precise ages, OSL dating can be most useful (e.g. Argyilan et al, 2005;Reimann et al, 2010).…”

Coastal geology and recent origins for Sand Point, Lake Superior

“…From strandplain sites along Grand Traverse Bay on the Keweenaw Peninsula and Tahquamenon Bay west of Sault Ste. Marie, Johnston et al (2004) and Argyilan et al (2005) initially estimated that the Sub-Sault Phase began 1200 years ago. This age has been revised, fi rst to after ~2400 years ago and possibly ~1400 years ago (Johnston et al, 2007a), and subsequently to 1060 ± 100 years ago (Johnston et al, 2012).…”

“…The sediment geochemistry (Table 4) reveals very low concentrations of radioactive elements that provide a paleodose. Argyilan et al (2005) working to the east of PRNL had similar low concentrations of U (average of 0.41 ± 0.1 ppm, n = 17 versus 0.38 ± 0.1 ppm, n = 8), 50% more Th (average 1.31 ± 0.1 ppm, n = 17 versus 0.86 ± 0.1 ppm, n = 8), and 1400% more K (average 1.3 ± 0.01% versus 0.09 ± 0.01%, n = 8) for similarly aged sediment (chemical analyses in both studies were carried out by ACT Labs, Ancaster, Ontario). However, the low dose rate based on the geochemistry is at odds with the OSL ages presumed to be too old.…”

Comparison of three K-feldspar luminescence dating methods for Holocene samples

“…It was also successfully applied for hydraulic deposit events such as alluvial deposit, colluvium, lakeshore sediment and lacustrine sediment (Berger and Doran, 2001;Eriksson et al, 2000;Lang et al, 1999, Lang andZolitschka, 2001;Stone et al, 2010). In particular, OSL dating can derive reliable chronology evidence when it is hardly to get available material for 14 C dating because OSL dating measures the sediments directly (Argyilan et al, 2005;Cupper, 2006). Single aliquot regenerative-dose (SAR) protocol can greatly improve equivalent dose (D e ) measurement accuracy (Wintle and Murray, 2006).…”