Sopot 24 February 2006 G liwice A bsolute DA ting M ethods C entre GADAM Anna Pazdur.

Sopot 24 February 2006

Gliwice Absolute DAting Methods Centre

GADAM

Anna Pazdur

Silesian University of Technology Faculty of Mathematics and Physics Institute of Physics

Department of Radioisotopes (GADAM Centre of Excellence)

Krzywoustego 2 44-100 Gliwice, Poland

www.carbon14.pl

HUMAN RESOURCES

Scientific staff (11 persons): 2 full professors (Anna Pazdur and Andrzej Zastawny), 1 associate professor (Andrzej Bluszcz), 8 adjuncts (Grzegorz Adamiec, Adam Michczyski, Joanna D. Michczyska, Sawomira Paweczyk, Jacek Pawlyta, Natalia Piotrowska, Andrzej Rakowski, Jarosaw Sikorski), 4 Ph.D. students, 2 lecturers with Ph.D. degree, 4 technicians.

SCIENTIFIC BACKGROUND

Basic research of GADAM Centre into isotope methods: radiometric and luminescence methods of absolute dating, stable isotopes and their applications.

These disciplines are of the great importance for the development of other sciences: geology and other earth sciences, environmental sciences, archaeology.

The Centre focuses its work on methods that provide:

different climate proxies and climate related data, carbon and oxygen stable isotope ratios are used as palaeothermometers, information about the global carbon cycle, data regarding changes in solar activity and Earths magnetic field, information about contemporary and past soil erosion and sedimentation processes in different environments, chronological framework for geological and environmental processes and for archaeological cultures at different time scales.

Equipment: Alpha and beta scintillation spectrometer QUANTULUS 1220, manufactured by Wallac. Four assemblies of gas proportional counters for measurements of radiocarbon (14C) concentrations. Vacuum line for production of graphite targets for the accelerator mass spectrometry radiocarbon measurements (AMS). Gamma radiation spectrometer system with two HPGe detectors, manufactured by CANBERRA. Alpha spectrometer with the surface barrier Si detector PIPS, manufactured by CANBERRA. Gamma scintillation spectrometer. Automated TL (57 aliquots) and OSL (20 aliquots) reader with a built-in beta irradiator, Daybreak type 1150. Automated beta irradiator, Daybreak type 850. Automated alpha irradiator, manufactured by Elsevec. Automated OSL/TL reader (60 aliquots) with a built-in beta irradiator, Daybreak type 2200. 11. Mass spectrometer IsoPrime for light stable isotopes (2H, 13C, 15N, 18O, 34S). 12. Other laboratory equipment and rooms for performing all the mechanical, chemical, and vacuum preparation of samples.

MAIN TOPICS OF SCIENTIFIC BACKGROUND

ISOTOPES IN PALAEOENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCHRadiocarbon dating

T1/2=5730 lat

14C unstable isotope - time scale construction

Liquid scintillation spectrometry of beta radiation

Vacuum line for graphite target preparation (14C research)

Spring and summer temperature time scale (Late Glacial and Holocene)18O stable isotope in carbonates - paleothermometer

HUMAN HISTORY ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL BACKGROUND

The cumulative probability distributions based on calibrated 14C dates:

14C dates sets for Mesolithic and Neolithic sites in Poland during the last 15,000 BP

14C dates sets from sediment with well-defined sedimentation conditions (speleothems, peat)

The grey areas show time intervals in which the climatic conditions were conducive to increased human settling.

LUMINESCENCE DATING OSL/TL

Age of quartz grains ED = Equivalent dose rate Dr = Annual dose rate

Loess landscape, China

Luminescence dosimetry and dating of mineral grains

ISOTOPES IN CONTEMPORARY ENVIRONMENT

Stable isotopes:

hydrogen isotopes 1H, 2H, carbon isotopes 12C, 13C, oxygen isotopes 16O, 18O

Unstable isotopes: hydrogen isotope 3H carbon isotope 14C caesium and lead isotopes 137Cs, 210Pb

TREES AS BIOINDICATORS OF GREENHOUSE CO2

Carbon isotopes in tree rings

Warsaw (5212N, 2110E)Kaunas(5488N, 2388E)Vilnius (5463N, 2528E)Cracow (5003N, 1903E)

Augustw (5351N, 2258E)

PinePinus sylvestris

Shape of a pine crown

Needles, seedling,seed,cone

Cross - section fragment of trunk

Annual average temperature(according to IMGW)

Meteorological data:

Diposition of temperature in Europe

14

Mass spectrometry for light stable isotopes

13C (Augustw, North-Eastern Poland) in annual tree-rings and emission of CO2 estimated by Marland

The fossil component of atmospheric CO2 estimated on the basis of 14C (Upper Silesia region)

Agricultural terraces near Gliwice

Nuclear radiation (alfa and gamma) spectrometry

137Cs in soils Vertical distribution of 137Cs in a soil profile at a site in southern Poland

9Core No. waterbottommissing sedimentlake sedimentBrynica riverBrynica River6213111211aDrinking water reservoirUpper Silesia region

210Pb in water reservoirs210Pb age of a water reservoir sediment from a site in Upper Silesia

EDUCATION ACTIVITIES

FULL TIME STUDIES

Specialisation: Environmental physics (started in the first half of nineties of the last century)

New specialisations, 2005:

Physics in environmental protection Physics in earth sciences and archaeology

Blocks of subjects of fundamental education:

fundamentals of experimental physics, mathematical subjects, fundamentals of computer sciences and computerized measurement systems, fundamentals of electrical and electronic measurements.

Blocks of professional subjects of

Physics in environmental protection:

geophysics and physics of the atmosphere,measurements and dosimetry of nuclear radiation, radiation protection,isotopic control of food and fuels,acoustic measurements and noise protection,technologies in environmental protection,biology, ecology, and soil protection.

Blocks of professional subjects of

Physics in Earth sciences and archaeology:

measurements of nuclear radiation,mass spectrometry,geosphere and matter circulation, palaeoclimatic changes and methods of their reconstruction,dating of rocks, minerals and archaeological objects by means of isotope methods,history and archaeological dating of cultures.

EXTRAMURAL POST-DIPLOMA STUDIES Within WP2 GADAM Centre of Excellence Project

Methods of absolute dating and applications

Non-resident, post-MSc studies assisted by Internet. The language of the studies is English. Upon completion of the Course and defending a thesis the student will receive a diploma certifying the completion of post-MSc studies.

The aim of the course: the integration of different disciplines at the university level and supplementary interdisciplinary education for natural science graduates, earth science graduates, and archaeology graduates.

The objectives of the Post-MSc course:

encouraging young researchers specialised in archaeology, earth sciences, and environmental sciences to apply absolute dating methods in solving problems relevant to their research work, acquainting young researchers with isotope and radiometric methods used in investigations of natural and human transformed environment, dissemination of information about dating methods and isotope methods among natural and earth scientists, and archaeologists, education of students in physical basis of dating methods and isotope methods with respect to palaeoenvironmental aspects of possible applications of these methods, preparing young researchers for work in interdisciplinary research teams.

Centre of Excellence Gliwice Absolute DAting MethodsGADAM Centre

Project No EVK-2002-00502

Call IdentifierQoL/GROW/EESD-2001-INTEGR

1st March 2003 28th February 2006

Scientific objectives and approach: Increasing the R&D potential of the Centre in fields of luminescence, radiocarbon and other physical dating methods and their applications in environmental sciences and earth sciences. Improving links with outstanding centres in NAS and NIS states. Increasing networking with other European centres of absolute dating methods. Increasing participation in international teams carrying joint research projects under FP6. Integration of Polish Laboratories carrying out absolute dating by different physical methods and by dendrochronology. Establishing twinning mechanisms with absolute dating centres in EU and Poland. Closer co-operation with natural scientists and earth scientists with respect to application of dating methods and interpretation of their results. Education of students in physical bases of dating methods with respect to palaeoenvironmental aspects of possible applications of these methods. Encouraging young researchers specialized in earth sciences and environmental sciences to apply absolute dating methods.

Expected impacts Investigation of physical methods applicable to absolute chronology: radiocarbon method, luminescence methods, other methods. Investigation of physical methods applicable to earth sciences: gamma, beta, radioactive and stable isotope methods. Applications in geology, earth sciences and environmental sciences.

WORK PACKAGES

WP1 Thematic conferences and workshops (CFWS)

Realisation:

8th International Conference Methods of Absolute Chronology(2004)

The workshops subtitles:

WS1 Presentation and understanding of dating results (2003)

WS2 Towards improved absolute chronology of Late Pleistocene and Holocene (2004)

WS3 Isotope methods in environmental studies (2005)

WP2 Education of young researchers (EDU) Post-MSc course Methods of absolute dating and applications Objectives: Encouraging young researchers specialised in earth sciences and environmental sciences to apply absolute dating methods in solving problems relevant to their research workAcquaint young researchers with isotope and radiometric methods used in investigations of natural and man transformed environment Dissemination of information about dating methods and isotope methods among natural and earth scientistsEducation of students in physical bases of dating methods and isotope methods with respect to palaeoenvironmental aspects of possible applications of these methodsPreparing young researchers for work in interdisciplinary research teams

Realisation:

3 semestral extramural course by internet, in English (2004 2005)

Summer school (2005)

WP3 Developing links and networking (LINET) Objectives: Improving links with outstanding centres in newly associated states (NAS) of Lithuania, Estonia, Czech Republic and Slovenia Re-establishing links with newly independent states (NIS) of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus Increasing networking with other European centres of absolute dating methods for better exchange of ideas, results of research and people Establishing twinning mechanisms with absolute dating centres in EU and Poland (Ris, Denmark; Helsinki, Finland; Gif-sur-Yvette, France; Poznan, Poland; Torun, Poland) Integration of Polish Laboratories carrying out absolute dating by different physical methods and by dendrochronology through bilateral and multilateral agreements Establishing a national network of centres active in the field of absolute dating and applications of isotope methods in environmental studies. Increasing the capacity of the Centres laboratories by gaining experience and expertise through exchange of staff and study visits from other leading centres in EU Promotion of young researchers through short visits and medium term stays in leading centres in UE

Realisation: 2003 2006

WP4 Gliwice Absolute Dating Results Databases (DATA)

Objectives: Development and maintenance of radiocarbon (14C) database Establishing luminescence (TL and OSL) database Development and maintenance of luminescence (TL and OSL) database Rendering access to databases through internet Increasing the research potential of the Centre in a field of applications of luminescence and radiocarbon dating methods in environmental sciences and earth sciences Contribution to integration of Polish environmental sciences and earth sciences with European counterpartsRealisation: 2003 - 2006

WP5 Co-ordination (CO-OR)

Objectives: Establishing of the leading in Poland and in the Central Europe centre in the field of absolute dating methods. Integration of the Centre with European Research Area through networking, exchange and twinning. Contribution to integration of the Polish community of representatives of environmental sciences and earth science to EU.

Realisation with help international Advisory Board of the GADAM Centre: 2003 2006

Other EU projects realised in GADAM Centre of Excellence

CONTINENT (2001 2004)High-resolution continental paleoclimate record in the Lake Baikal: A key-site for Eurasian teleconnections to the North Atlantic Ocean and monsoonal systems. Contract No EVK2-CT-2000-00057.

ISONET (2003 2006) 400 years of Annual Reconstructions of European Climate Variability using a High Resolution Isotopic Network. Contract No EVK2-CT-2002-00147

ATIS (2006 2009) (just after negotiation) Absolute time scales and isotope studies for investigating events in Earth and human history. No MTKD-CT-2005-029642

Thank you