On the sediment age estimated by ~(210)Pb dating: probably misleading “prolonging” and multiple-factor-caused “loss”

The radionuclide ~(210) Pb is suitable for century-scale dating and has been used to calculate the sedimentation rate in a variety of environments. However, two common ways to apply 210 Pb dating techniques may give misleading results. One is "prolonging of age", i.e., using the calculated sedimentation rate to date back to 200 or 300 years.This practice must be treated with caution because the 210 Pb dating techniques do not guarantee direct dating for ages much older than 100 years. Another is "loss of age", i.e., the calculated time span between the topmost layer and the 210 Pb background layer in cores is less than 100 years when an apparent sedimentation rate is used in the calculation. Here, we propose that based on the principle of 210 Pb dating, the upper limit of age suitable for direct210 Pb dating is between 110 and 155 years. The "prolonging" application is acceptable only if the sedimentary environment in the past several hundred years was stable and the sedimentation rate was generally constant, and verification with independent evidence(such as historical records or biomarker methodology) is needed.Furthermore, after analyzing many published and collected data, we found four possible reasons for the "loss of age". First, the compaction effect of sediment should be corrected in laboratory analysis or else the calculated age will be underestimated. Second, the accuracy and uncertainty of 210 Pb activity measurement affect the judgment of the background. To be cautious, researchers are apt to choose a background activity with a younger age. Third,use of a slightly smaller value of supported 210 Pb activity in a calculation will lead to considerable underestimation of the time span. Finally, later-stage erosion and migration are common for sedimentation, which lead to loss of sedimentary records and are often reflected as a "loss of age" in cores. We believe that proper use of 210 Pb dating data may provide helpful information on our understanding of sediment records and recent environmental changes.     

210Pb测年的“延年”与“折寿”

放射性同位素²¹⁰Pb适于百年尺度的定年和沉积速率计算,已经在冰芯、土壤、湖泊、水库、河口、潮滩、潟湖、海湾和浅海陆架等多种环境得到广泛应用。目前,²¹⁰Pb测年方法的应用有两种现象值得注意：一种是“延年”,即根据测算的沉积速率回溯定年的时间,有时回溯的时间跨度可达二、三百年;另一种是“折寿”,即根据测算的表观沉积速率计算得到的²¹⁰Pb本底层位之上的时间跨度不足百年。根据²¹⁰Pb测年的原理和有关仪器的检出限来分析,本文作者认为,²¹⁰Pb直接定年的上限以110 yr~155 yr为宜。因此,“延年”的运用有一定的前提条件,即研究区的沉积环境在回溯的数百年尺度内应该保持稳定,同时回溯的定年结果最好有其他独立的定年方法（如历史文献记录或生物标志物等）来印证、以增加其可靠性。对于²¹⁰Pb测年的“折寿”现象,可能的原因有四种。第一,沉积及取样的压实效应没有在分析和计算过程中得到校正。第二,²¹⁰Pb活度测量的精度和不确定度影响了对本底的判断;为稳妥起见,研究者选定的本底层位一般会比真实的本底年龄要年轻一些,导致定年结果的时间跨度缩小。第三,²¹⁰Pb定年计算模式决定了本底活度值的微小差异将带来计算出来的时间跨度产生显著差异。第四,沉积过程事实上发生了后期的侵蚀和迁移,导致保存在柱样中的沉积记录不完整。为了有效地减少²¹⁰Pb测年法的结果误差,可以采取减小²¹⁰Pb活度测量子样的间距、并同步测量²²⁶Ra活度等技术手段;另外,在计算时应该使用沉积通量而不是表观沉积速率。我们相信,²¹⁰Pb测年方法的正确运用和解译将对物源判断、沉降后的侵蚀和扰动等问题提供一些有益的信息。     

The sedimentation rates in the Okinawa Trough during the Late Quaternary

On the basis of accelerator mass spectrometer radiocarbon （AMS ^14C） dating, sedimentation rates of 11 cores collected from the northern to southern Okinawa Trough are discussed. The sedimentation rates in the Okinawa Trough roughly range from 11 to 39cm/ka, and the average is 23.0cm/ka. China＇s continental matter is the main sediment source of the middle Okinawa Trough and has important contribution to the northern and southern Okinawa Trough. The sedimentation rates during the marine oxygen isotope （MIS） 2 are uniformly higher than those during MIS 1 in the northern and middle Okinawa Trough while they are on the contrary in the southern Okinawa Trough. Sedimentation rates in the Okinawa Trough can be one of the proxies of sediment source and an indicator of cooling events.     

河口海岸环境沉积速率研究方法

沉积速率是河口海岸沉积环境的重要参数，对于河口海岸地质历史时期沉积速率的研究，大多采用^14C年龄值计算；现代河口海岸沉积速率的研究方法较多，常见的有河流输沙法，海图对比法，GIS法，放射性同位素测年法等。^14C法结合考古，孢粉等方法，能比较真实地反映河口海岸地质历史时期的沉积速率，对于现代河口海岸沉积，由于GIS和DEM方法的发展和计算机功能的支持，使海图对比的方法克服了手工带来的误差，目前仍然是一种可以使用的方法。放射性同位素^210Pb,^137Cs,^239,240Pu法使沉积速率的计算趋于定量化，在一定时间区域范围内，多种同位素测年同时运用，相互印证，从而使河口现代沉积速率更加准确。     

Late Miocene stable isotope stratigraphy of SE Atlantic ODP Site 1085: Relation to Messinian events

High-resolution benthic oxygen isotope and XRF (Fe and Ca) records from Site 1085 drilled in the Mid-Cape basin (ODP Leg 175) are used to investigate global climate changes during the Late Miocene in relation to Messinian geological events. The cyclic fluctuations of the time series at Site 1085 enable us to establish a reliable chronology for the time interval 7.3–4.7 Ma. Spectral analysis of the δ¹⁸O record indicates that the 41-kyr period of orbital obliquity dominates the Late Miocene record. A global climate record was extracted from the oxygen isotopic composition of benthic foraminifera. Both long- and short-term variabilities in the climate record are discussed in terms of sea-level and deep-water temperature changes. The time interval 7.3–6.25 Ma characterized by low-amplitude δ¹⁸O variations is followed by a period marked by maximum in the δ¹⁸O values (6.25–5.57 Ma). At about 5.56 Ma, a rapid decrease in δ¹⁸O values is documented that may reflect a warming of deep-water temperature associated with a global warming period. Comparison between the timing of the oceanic isotope events and the chronology of the Mediterranean Salinity Crisis suggest that global eustatic processes were not essential in the Mediterranean Salinity Crisis history. From our data, we infer that the global warmth documented in the Early/mid-Pliocene probably started during the Late Miocene (at 5.55 Ma). At the same time, the onset of evaporite deposition in the central basin of the Mediterranean Sea took place. Sharp changes in the sedimentation rates, mainly driven by terrigenous input at this site, are observed during the Messinian Stage.     

铁锰结壳年代学方法及其应用

铁锰结壳记录了丰富的古海洋和古气候信息,要分析这些信息,必须先确定各壳层的生长年龄。目前主要使用的定年方法有:Be同位素定年、U系同位素定年、Os同位素定年、经验公式法、古地磁地层学方法和古生物地层学方法等。每种定年方法均各有利弊,其中10Be是年龄小于10 Ma结壳的最佳定年方法; U系同位素定年精度高,但定年范围小于0.5 Ma; Os同位素定年时间尺度长,且可以判断沉积间断,但需要有区域的海水Os同位素演化曲线; Co经验公式因为简单易行,是结壳估算年龄最为常用的方法,但该法无法判断沉积间断,在使用时需特别谨慎,应确保经验公式适用于所研究的样品;如果结壳厚度大、生长速率较快且不存在沉积间断,古地磁地层学方法可以快速地进行定年;此外,如果结壳中古生物化石较多,可考虑采用古生物地层学方法。在分析铁锰结壳年代学方法利弊基础上,本文利用U系定年法、古地磁地层学法和经验公式计算法分别对南海铁锰结壳进行定年,通过比较,认为目前铁锰结壳较优的定年方法为古地磁地层学方法。     

Ensuring confidence in radionuclide-based sediment chronologies and bioturbation rates

Sedimentary records of naturally occurring and fallout-derived radionuclides are widely used as tools for estimating both the ages of recent sediments and rates of sedimentation and bioturbation. Developing these records to the point of data interpretation requires careful sample collection, processing, analysis and data modeling. In this work, we document a number of potential pitfalls that can impact sediment core records and their interpretation. This paper is not intended as an exhaustive treatment of these potential problems. Rather, the emphasis is on potential problems that are not well documented in the literature, as follows: (1) the mere sampling of sediment cores at a resolution that is too coarse can result in an apparent diffusive mixing of the sedimentary record at rates comparable to diffusive bioturbation rates observed in many locations; (2) ²¹⁰Pb profiles in slowly accumulating sediments can easily be misinterpreted to be driven by sedimentation, when in fact bioturbation is the dominant control. Multiple isotopes of different half lives and/or origin may help to distinguish between these two possible interpretations; (3) apparent mixing can occur due simply to numerical artifacts inherent in the finite difference approximations of the advection diffusion equation used to model sedimentation and bioturbation. Model users need to be aware of this potential problem. Solutions to each of these potential pitfalls are offered to ensure the best possible sediment age estimates and/or sedimentation and bioturbation rates can be obtained.     

西太平洋卡罗琳海域沉积速率:来自3种测年方法的限定

为了更好地认识西太平洋暖池区北部卡罗琳海域沉积速率的变化,利用放射性碳测试（14C）、氧同位素及古地磁方法对采自西太平洋卡罗琳地区一根长217 cm的柱状样开展了综合年代学分析。14C数据获取了样品上部44.3 ka BP以来的年代数据,在此基础上利用氧同位素及古地磁相对强度数据建立了该柱125 cm至表层的年代框架,对应为MIS4期（约8万年）以来的沉积。进一步分析发现本柱在126～127 cm处存在明显沉积间断,虽然该处已超出14C测年范围,但古地磁测试结果表明该柱位于布容正极性时期,同时古地磁强度与氧同位素的变化关系为沉积间断以下年代数据获取提供了可信的证据,表明该阶段对应距今13万年至18万年时期。本柱沉积速率在沉积间断前后均较为一致,为1～2 cm/ka。同时对比不同方法获取的沉积速率之间差异后,发现个别层位可能由于较高的有孔虫破壳率,导致14C值存在较大偏差。     

Age and life histories of black and smooth oreos inferred using bomb radiocarbon dating and stable isotope analysis

Black oreo (Allocyttus niger) and smooth oreo (Pseudocyttus maculatus) are commercially exploited deepwater fishes in New Zealand. They are considered to be long-lived with unvalidated maximum otolith growth zone counts of 153 years and 86 years, respectively. Bomb radiocarbon dating results supported the otolith age estimates for A. niger, but those for P. maculatus provided only partial support. Oxygen isotope (δ¹⁸O) results for A. niger otoliths suggested that juveniles were in near-surface waters and adults in depths of 700–1300 m. In contrast, P. maculatus otoliths suggested a variable depth history (500 to at least 1500 m) throughout life. Carbon isotope (δ¹³C) results showed a steady enrichment from core values to c. 20 years for both species, owing to changes in diet and metabolic rate from the juvenile to the adult fish, associated with a depth increase. Von Bertalanffy growth parameters are provided for both species.     

Accumulation and biological mixing of Peru margin sediments

Rates of sediment accumulation and biological particle mixing in eight cores from the Peru shelf have been estimated by application of uranium-series disequilibrium techniques and radiocarbon dating. Activities of ²¹⁰Pb, ²²⁶Ra, ²³⁴Th and ²³⁸U have been determined in closely spaced intervals in each sediment core. Biological particle mixing coefficients were determined via a two-box advection-diffusion steady-state mixing model based on the distribution profiles of excess ²¹⁰Pb and, in some cases, excess ²³⁴Th activities.

The sedimentation rates estimated were in the order of a few millimeters/yr except for cores enriched in phosphatic components which displayed rates a few orders of magnitude slower. Bioturbation was significant in most cores studied with the exception of one core collected from within the middle of the oxygen-minimum zone. Estimated biological mixing coefficients were in the order of 10⁰–10¹ cm² yr⁻¹ for the surface mixed layer and 10⁻¹–10⁰ cm² yr⁻¹ for the layer below. Sediment slumping appears to have affected the ²¹⁰Pb distribution of two or three of our cores.     

关于^14C测定的互校对比和质量保证问题

本文阐述了经常开展~(14)C测定的互校对比活动和推行质量保证制度的重要意义。从国内外多次对比结果中存在的问题指出:建议应积极参加国际对比活动,进一步开展国内对比活动和质量保证制度,以期广泛提高全国~(14)C测试水平。这些建议不仅有利于~(14)C实验室本身建设而且对有关学科研究水平的提高同样重要     

Stratigraphy of Quaternary inner-shelf sediments in Tai O Bay, Hong Kong, based on ground-truthed seismic profiles

High-resolution boomer profiles from Tai O Bay, Hong Kong SAR, were ground-truthed using ten discontinuously sampled boreholes penetrating bedrock with a maximum length of 82.1 m. The relationship between depth below seabed and seismic profiles was established through the measurement of two borehole compressional-wave velocity profiles. In departure from previous interpretations, nine Quaternary seismic units were identified, which can be divided into eight systems tracts formed by cycles of fourth-order sea-level fluctuations dating back at least to marine isotope stage (MIS) 7 (ca. 190–245 ka). These consist of two lowstand systems tracts, two transgressive systems tracts, and four highstand systems tracts. Secondary unconformities within the highstand deposits are interpreted to document fifth-order sea-level fluctuations. Lowstand deposits are less common because, as soon as the sea level drops by a few metres, Tai O Bay becomes sub-aerially exposed, leading to widespread non-deposition or erosion. At the same time, extensive fluvial erosion and channel incision take place. Filling of the fluvial channels occurs during rising sea level. Lowstand sediments (if present) are generally landslide deposits laid down on a basal alluvial plain. Uncorrected accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) radiocarbon dates of mollusc shells show that the depositional environment was marine since 6.2 ka, becoming gradually more brackish as a result of progradation of the Pearl River delta. The computed average sedimentation rate for the period 6.2–4.1 ka is 4.4 m/1,000 year, and approximately 1 m/1,000 year since 4.1 ka.     

Age,regional variation,and shallowest occurrence of S1 sapropel in the northern Aegean Sea

Thirteen gravity cores taken off northern Greece contain the S1 sapropel, as a single layer in cores from water depths <250 m and usually as a double layer in cores from deeper water. Total thickness of the sapropel layer is proportional to thickness of sediment between the sapropel and an 18 ka seismic marker. These observations suggest that the sapropel is not diachronous. Five AMS radiocarbon dates of molluscs and echinoderms indicate an age of 6.4–9.2 ka for the S1 sapropel, considerably younger than previous age estimates in the northern Aegean Sea of 9–13 ka, which were based on bulk sample dating techniques.     

理县黄土地层与环境记录

理县黄土堆积厚度为7.30 m,可分为S0、S1古土壤层和L1黄土层。光释光结果显示,理县黄土沉积始于末次间冰期,约130 kaBP。磁化率、粒度、碳酸盐含量等经典气候替代指标分析表明,它们可以反映青藏高原东部气候环境变迁。环境记录显示,末次冰期间冰阶(即氧同位素3阶段)期间该区呈现出极端冷湿的气候环境。理县地区气候演化更接近于印度季风强度记录的变化,而与格陵兰冰心和深海氧同位素记录相似性稍差。     

210Pb测年法的数据处理问题

~(210)Pb是天然放射性铀系的一个子体成员,半衰期为22.3年,可用来测定冰川、积雪、湖泊及海洋沉积物的年龄和堆积速率。由于化学分析和物理测量方法的日臻成熟,它已成为最可靠的近百年左右的测年法。这对于沿海海洋工程的建设、海洋开发、海洋地质学和海洋生物     

Seismic stratigraphy of the central Scotian Rise: A record of continental margin glaciation

3.5-k Hz profiles from low channel levees on the Scotian Rise show transparent Holocene acoustic facies overlying stratified glacial facies, dated by Carbon-14 in cores. Corresponding acoustic facies in seismic records are correlated with glaciations by counting back from the present sea floor using sedimentation rates from Carbon-14 dating and biostratigraphy from wells as a guide. The regional thickness and character of the seismic units correlate with the duration and intensity of glacial periods inferred from the global isotopic record. Changes in glacial supply to the continental margin are interpreted using this chronology, which shows stage 12 as the first widespread erosional glacial event.     

A record of fluctuating bottom currents on the slopes west of the Porcupine Bank,offshore Ireland — implications for Late Quaternary climate forcing

Both local and regional controls on slope sedimentation west of Porcupine Bank are assessed using an array of 25 gravity cores, integrated with shallow seismic, TOBI side-scan and high-resolution bathymetry data. The cores were retrieved from an area of smooth, distally steepened slope (between 52° and 53°N) in water depths of 950 to 2750 m. The slope here is unmodified by gravity failures and is swept by bottom currents that flow from S to N along the margin. The cores reveal a coherent shallow stratigraphy that can be traced along and between transects at upper-, mid- and lower-slope levels. AMS ¹⁴C dating, oxygen-isotopes and carbonate profiles suggest the cored record could extend as far back as 500 ka in the longest cores, with most cores providing details of the slope response to the last interglacial, last glacial and Holocene forcing. The facies indicate deposition was dominated by a combination of bottom currents, ice-rafting and hemipelagic settling, with carbonate-prone deposits during interglacials, and siliciclastic deposits during glacials. Inferred contourites imply that strong currents operated during interglacials, with weaker current reworking during glacial conditions. A pair of erosion surfaces record significant mid- and upper-slope scouring during Marine Isotope Stage (MIS 3) and in the Early Holocene. The lateral facies distribution implies stronger currents at shallower levels on the slope, although there is evidence that the core of the current migrated up and down the slope, and that sand might locally have spilt down-slope. The bathymetry influenced both the wider geometry of the condensed contourite sheet and the local thickness and facies variation across the slope. A significant result of the study is the identification of a pair of thin sand–mud contourite couplets that record enhanced bottom-current reworking corresponding to periods of interstadial warming during MIS 3. The couplets can be correlated to the terrestrial records onshore Ireland and imply that the NE Atlantic margin oceanographic and onshore climate records are strongly coupled at interstadial level.     

海南岛东南部潟湖台风事件沉积记录

研究海岸潟湖沉积记录可恢复器测记录之前和史前时期热带气旋活动的频率和强度信息。本文试图通过分析潟湖沉积揭示南海北部地区的古台风活动信息,以海南岛东南部两个潟湖的钻孔沉积物为研究对象,选取沉积物粒度、有机质和碳酸盐含量等参数建立台风事件的鉴别指标,同时借助²¹⁰Pb CRS计年模式确定了沉积物柱状样的沉积速率和年代序列,对海南岛东南部的古风暴活动进行了分析。结果显示,柱状岩心清晰地记录了海南省东南部过去350年期间的35次特大风暴潮事件。基于历史文献和沉积记录的风暴沉积事件恢复了近350年来的风暴活动历史,发现海南省东南部特大风暴事件频数与厄尔尼诺强度有显著关系,同时还可能受到太平洋涛动（PDO）、北大西洋涛动（NAO）和太阳黑子活动等多种气候因素的综合影响。本文研究表明,结合风暴沉积记录和历史文献资料可为恢复海岸带地区长时间尺度高分辨率的古风暴活动规律提供有效信息。     

南沙永暑礁表层珊瑚年代结构及其环境记录

南沙群岛永暑礁7个表层礁坪原生块状珊瑚的高精度TIMS U-Th和12个常规^14C测年结果表明,永暑礁表层礁坪形成于现代,与钻探研究结果吻合。全新世永暑礁系从约7300aBP开始,以现代礁坪面以下17m左右的晚更新世礁灰岩为基底连续发育至今,因此,与南海周边地区的珊瑚礁不同,南沙群岛珊瑚礁的表层块状珊瑚不能够提供全新世高海平面的证据。由于现代珊瑚礁的堆积速率大于地壳沉降速率,可能会形成更多的灰沙洲或灰沙岛。     

The contribution of 14C dating to a better understanding of the POM behaviour in estuaries

The discordance between radiocarbon dates and dates obtained with ²¹⁰Pb and historical data in cores recovered from tidal flats of the Gironde estuary, is explained. According to the results, it appears that the deposited Particulate Organic Matter (POM), taken in account by ¹⁴C dating, is mainly pedologic in origin and relatively old, while other dating technics provide information on the sedimentation pattern itself.