» E.L. Cord Luminescence Geochronology Lab DEES Labs FACT SHEET » CONTACT INFORMATION Dr. Jose Luis Antinao, Assistant Research Professor Division of Earth and Ecosystem Sciences RENO: 2215 Raggio Parkway, Reno, NV 89512 PHONE: 775-673-7450 EMAIL: [email protected]Ms. Sophie Baker, Geomorphologist EMAIL: [email protected]Dr. Elizabeth Huenupi, Staff chemist EMAIL: [email protected]Mr. Arthur J. Lewis, Technician EMAIL: [email protected]The E.L. Cord Luminescence Geochronology Laboratory offers a state-of-the-art facility for luminescence dating to the service of a broad spectrum of earth scientists from consulting firms, government agencies, and research institu- tions across the United States and internationally. Since 1994, we have strived to provide our collaborators with timely analytical services while maintaining the highest quality possible in the field. Our geochronologists and chemists process samples at the highest standards, tailoring each successive step of the dating process to the sample characteristics and project goals. The laboratory is fully integrated with other labs in DEES, in particular the DRI Soil Characterization and Quaternary Pedology Laboratory, with whom we share facilities and personnel to collaborate on a wide range of DRI research projects and contract work. Analytical Capabilities: The E.L. Cord Luminescence Geochronology Laboratory was established in November 1994 as a thermoluminescence (TL) analysis facility under the direction of Dr. Glenn Berger. It was funded initially by a $50,000 grant from the E.L. Cord Foun- dation, a long-time benefactor of DRI. Over the following years, successive growth was achieved with help from different funding sources. In 2008, two state-of-the-art single-grain capable Risoe DA-20 readers were acquired with funding from the NSF-MRI program. At that point, the lab was expanded to increase the throughput. We have full facilities for conducting Luminescence Dating of Quaternary sediments and rocks. These include four automat- ed luminescence readers: one for ‘conventional’ multi-aliquot TL and IRSL (Daybreak 1150); and three for single-aliquot dating (one OSL/IRSL capable Daybreak 2200 for multi-grain aliquots, and two OSL/IRSL capable DA-20 Risoe readers for multi or single grain dating). The Daybreak 2200 has an em- bedded irradiation attachment with a beta (Sr-90) source. The DA-20 Risoe readers have the latest capabilities, including dual THE DESERT RESEARCH INSTITUTE IS PART OF THE NEVADA SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION
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» E.L. Cord Luminescence Geochronology Lab
DEES Labs FACT SHEET
» CONTACT INFORMATIONDr. Jose Luis Antinao, Assistant Research Professor Division of Earth and Ecosystem SciencesRENO: 2215 Raggio Parkway, Reno, NV 89512PHONE: 775-673-7450EMAIL: [email protected]
The E.L. Cord Luminescence Geochronology Laboratory offers a state-of-the-art facility for luminescence dating to the service of a broad spectrum of earth scientists from consulting firms, government agencies, and research institu-tions across the United States and internationally.
Since 1994, we have strived to provide our collaborators with timely analytical services while maintaining the highest quality possible in the field. Our geochronologists and chemists process samples at the highest standards, tailoring each successive step of the dating process to the sample characteristics and project goals.
The laboratory is fully integrated with other labs in DEES, in particular the DRI Soil Characterization and Quaternary Pedology Laboratory, with whom we share facilities and personnel to collaborate on a wide range of DRI research projects and contract work.
Analytical Capabilities:The E.L. Cord Luminescence Geochronology Laboratory was established in November 1994 as a thermoluminescence (TL) analysis facility under the direction of Dr. Glenn Berger. It was funded initially by a $50,000 grant from the E.L. Cord Foun-dation, a long-time benefactor of DRI. Over the following years, successive growth was achieved with help from different funding sources. In 2008, two state-of-the-art single-grain capable Risoe DA-20 readers were acquired with funding from the NSF-MRI program. At that point, the lab was expanded to increase the throughput.
We have full facilities for conducting Luminescence Dating of Quaternary sediments and rocks. These include four automat-ed luminescence readers: one for ‘conventional’ multi-aliquot TL and IRSL (Daybreak 1150); and three for single-aliquot dating (one OSL/IRSL capable Daybreak 2200 for multi-grain aliquots, and two OSL/IRSL capable DA-20 Risoe readers for multi or single grain dating). The Daybreak 2200 has an em-bedded irradiation attachment with a beta (Sr-90) source. The DA-20 Risoe readers have the latest capabilities, including dual
THE DESERT RESEARCH INSTITUTE IS PART OF THE NEVADA SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION
Optically-stimulat-ed- luminescence (OSL) dating of selected alluvial sequences in Val-lecitos, El Salto and Valle del Sol,
Mendoza, Argentina was conducted in order to test paleoclimate and neotec-tonic hypotheses. Quartz and feldspar in the ~200-300 µm sediment fraction provided single-grain green- and IR-laser ages between ca. 33 and 37 ka, providing new time constraints on a major faulting event in the area. Image credit: Bili Man-zur. Collaborative work with Dr. Stella Moreiras, IANIGLA, Argentina.
Luminescence dat-ing of aeolian depos-its at Keeler in the Owens Lake area indicates that three periods of dune de-position followed by
sheet flooding occurred during the Late Holocene. The youngest dunes are active and their provenance analysis suggests a linkage to lowering of Owens Lake level in the early 20th century. Ages as young as 35±4 years BP were determined through SAR quartz single-grain green-la-ser dating of the 90-225 micron µm frac-tion of dune samples. Contract work with GBUAPCD. (Image credit: Dr. G. Berger.)
Coarse alluvial fan sequences of the Providence Moun-tains, Mojave Des-ert, California are being analyzed as part of an ongoing
effort to constrain the timing and rates of alluvial fan deposition in this arid setting. Quartz and feldspar single-grain dating will be integrated with cosmogenic Be-10 ages and soil chronosequence data al-ready obtained in the area. Crosscheck-ing between geochronology methods will be key to the success of this project. (Image credit: Dr. J.L. Antinao. Collabora-tive work with Dr. Eric McDonald, DEES-DRI.)
(green, IR) laser single-grain dating attachments, pulsed-diode and linearly modulated additions for both blue and IR optical stimulation, and automated beta (Sr-90) and mini X-Ray (Varian VF-50JWS with max. 50 kV, 1 mA) irradiation attachments.
The laboratory is equipped with complete dark-room sample preparation facilities. The mineral separation area houses all necessary apparatus for crushing and dry/wet sieving (including timed shaking units, complete sieve sets, a set of ultrasonic baths for deep cleaning), density separation of mineral phases, and magnetic separation (several Nd hand magnets and a Frantz ® isodynamic magnetic separator). The chemical preparation area has a dedicated fumehood in dark-room condi-tions, a segregated chemical storage area, and facilities for acid neutralization and satellite hazardous and non-hazardous waste storage. A number of electronic balances (0.1 mg), three drying ovens, a high-speed centrifuge, hotplates, and a pho-tometer complement the specialized equipment.
Supporting equipment includes automated stand-alone alpha (Am-241) and beta (Sr-90) irradiators to provide sample irradi-ation additional to that provided by the luminescence readers. Dose rates are measured in environmental samples by in-situ gamma spectrometry (through one GeoMetrics GPX-21 analyzer with NaI detector, and one Rainbow 7010 Multichannel analyzer with a 2x2 inch NaI detector, currently on loan to the UCLA Luminescence Laboratory), routinely cross-checked with six Daybreak 582 alpha counters for measuring U and Th contributions. K content is determined through ICP-AES in external laboratories, soon to be performed in-house after acquisition in March 2013 of an ICP unit to be shared with DRI’s Soils Characterization and Quaternary Pedology Laboratory. Carbonate and water content are also determined in all envi-ronmental samples through collaboration with the Soils Lab. K determination of single feldspar grains used in single-grain IRSL experiments is performed in collaboration with the DEES Archaeobotany Laboratory, using SEM-EDS measurements.
Applications:A range of geological, geomorphological, paleoenvironmental, paleoseismological, and archaeological problems can be ad-dressed by coupling luminescence dating techniques with other methodologies commonly used in these research subjects. Advantages of luminescence include the extension of the datable time range beyond that of radiocarbon, to ~200,000 years for quartz optically stimulated luminescence (OSL), and even older for feldspar and polymineral IRSL and TL analysis.
Projects:The following lists a sample of the recent projects the E.L. Cord Luminescence Geochronology Laboratory has collaborated on. For more examples, please visit www.geochron.dri.edu/projects.
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