Optically stimulated luminescence dating of sublittoral and intertidal sediments from Dubai, UAE: Radioactive disequilibria in the uranium decay series

Shallow marine and intertidal shell rich sediments from the low coastal plain of Dubai were dated by optically stimulated luminescence. Combined high-resolution gamma spectrometry and ICP–MS analyses revealed significant disequilibria in the 238 U decay series. Time dependent dose rates were modelled for two scenarios including a closed system and an open system with linear U and Ra uptake. OSL ages that were calculated using the linear uptake model are in good agreement with archaeological evidence and radiocarbon datings on shells and wood. The presented results illustrate that luminescence-dating techniques are suitable to set up a chronostratigraphic frame for calcareous coastal environments if an appropriate model is applied to consider the influence of radioactive disequilibria and time dependent dose rates. A comprehensive radionuclide analysis of the sediments is thought necessary to perform geochemically supported dose rate simulations.