Luminescence dating of dune sand and sabkha sediments, Saudi Arabia

Cresswell, A. and Sanderson, D. (2009) Luminescence dating of dune sand and sabkha sediments, Saudi Arabia. Technical Report. SUERC, East Kilbride, UK.

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Abstract

32 sediment samples recovered in April 2008 from active and relict dunes, and sabkhas/playas, in Saudi Arabia, were investigated using Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) methods. This work follows an earlier investigation of similar sites over a larger area. The results of the current investigations are reported here. The sabkha and shoreline samples show ages ranging from very modern (with no measurable OSL signal) to 7.6ka, indicating that this study area appears to have some sabkhas significantly younger than those observed in the earlier work. One petrified dune sampled in this work produced an OSL date of 830±210 years, which is consistent with the age ranges of the petrified dunes sampled in the earlier work. Another showed very modern (with no measurable OSL signal) for the indurated sand at the top and an age of 200±150 years for the sand at the back of the dune; another sample taken nearby had an OSL age of 720±180 years. This dune appears to be much younger than the petrified dunes sampled in the previous study. Samples from low-rolling dunes in this study have ages between very modern and 580 years. A barchan dune sample had an age of 60±30 years, similar to ages for barchan dunes sampled in the earlier work. Samples from a low hill had ages of 2.5±0.3 and 5.7±0.5 ka. A buried dune was sampled, producing no measurable natural OSL signal.

Item Type:Research Reports or Papers (Technical Report)
Status:Published
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Sanderson, Professor David and Cresswell, Dr Alan
Authors: Cresswell, A., and Sanderson, D.
Subjects:G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences
Q Science > QC Physics
Q Science > QE Geology
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre
Publisher:SUERC
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2009 Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre
Publisher Policy:Reproduced with the permission of the Authors

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