γ-SPECTROMETRIC DETERMINATION OF U, TH AND K FOR OSL DATING OF MARINE SEDIMENTS

The measurement of radionuclides (²³⁸U, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K) is critical in OSL dating for calculation of the environmental dose rate. In this study, we compared the results of the ²³⁸U, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K contents from the ICP-MS and ICP-OES method and the HPGe γ-ray spectrum method, and the environmental dose rates calculated from the contents are also compared. The results suggest that the environmental dose rates did not differ significantly for the two methods, and the contents of radionuclides are highly consistent. However, for the method of γ-ray spectrometry, sample preparation is simple and no damage is observed. We may simultaneously measure various radionuclides, and it is easy to know whether the sample is in a radioactive equilibrium state or not. Therefore, the method is highly recommended for measuring the dose rate in OSL dating.