Chronology of marine sediments using the ¹⁰Be method: intercomparison with other methods

Abstract

The concentrations of the radionuclides, ¹⁰Be, ²³⁰Th and ²³²Th have been measured in four gravity cores from the Pacific and one piston core from the Indian Ocean. Three of the Pacific Ocean cores were studied for the presence of magnetic reversals. Accumulation rates based on the nuclear and magnetic methods fall in the range of 1-6 mm/10³ yr and except in one case, are in fair agreement with each other. This result leads to the conclusion that the constants used in the ¹⁰Be-dating equation are approximately correct (within + 30 per cent) and the usefulness of the cosmic ray produced nuclei ¹⁰Be for dating Pliocene and recent sediments seems to be established, considering the underlying assumptions in the Be¹⁰-dating method.