| Abstract: | Equivalent dose (ED) estimates for speleothem calcite derived by ESR measurements of the g = 2.0005 signal have a typical precision of ±7% (minimum ±2%), and depend on the signal strength, radiation sensitivity and the presence of interfering signals. Underestimation of ED will occur if the crushing signal at g = 2.0001 is not removed by acid etching, while overestimation may be caused if the short-lived radiation induced interfering signal at g = 2.0020 is not removed by annealing. Quoted errors for ESR ages are rarely better than ±10% and are typically ±15% because of uncertainties in ED, calibration of dosimeters and gamma source, and in the a-value. Serial analyses along the growth axis of single speleothems, and between speleothems interbedded in a sequence demonstrate excellent stratigraphic concordance. Intercomparison of ESR and uranium series ages for samples derived from 11 geographically diverse sites show good agreement with no indication of systematic error. Although validation is more difficult for samples beyond the limit of
dating, the results appear encouraging, but recrystallisation and changes in the external radiation dose may cause problems. |
