Luminescence and amino acid racemization chronology of the loess–paleosol sequence at Süttő, Hungary

Ágnes Novothny, Manfred Frechen, Erzsébet Horváth, Balázs Bradák, Eric A. Oches, William B. McCoy, Thomas Stevens

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The loess–paleosol sequences in Hungary provide an excellent Upper Pleistocene climate archive of the Carpathian Basin. Loess deposits up to 20 m thick cover the Süttő travertine complex, located in the very northern part of Hungary, next to the right bank of the Danube River. The loess is intercalated with two weakly developed greyish horizons, two thinner-brownish steppe-like soils and a pedocomplex, including a reddish-brown clay-enriched horizon covered by a chernozem-like paleosol. Infrared optically stimulated luminescence (IRSL) dating was applied on polymineral fine grain material to determine the depositional age of the loess. The uppermost loess yields IRSL age estimates ranging from 15 to 40 ka. The loess on top of the pedocomplex yields IRSL age estimates ranging from 48 to 60 ka. The pedocomplex most likely correlates with the Marine Oxygen Isotope Stage (MIS) 5 interglacial period. The loess from below the pedocomplex was deposited during the penultimate glaciation, as evidenced by amino acid racemization (AAR) results. Further independent age control is provided by radiocarbon dating for the upper part of the profile and by uranium-series (230Th/234U) ages correlating the travertine below the loess with MIS 7–8. The magnetic susceptibility record through the sequence shows a strong correlation with the loess layers and soil horizons.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)62-76
Number of pages15
JournalQuaternary International
Volume198
Issue number1-2
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2009

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