Abstract:
Ten coral samples from Huon Peninsula were selected for an ESR and alpha spectrometric U-series dating comparison. Th and U isotopes of seven ESR samples were also analyzed by mass spectrometry. It was found that the dose response of the paramagnetic centre at g = 2.0007 is not strictly exponential, but defect creation can be observed. The comparison of the results shows considerable discrepancies between all three techniques but also inconsistencies between the results of the radiometric dating study with the assumed geological position of the samples. Problems of ESR seem to lie in AD estimation and problems of U-series dating in open system behaviour of the samples. The study implies that samples have to be very carefully selected in order to perform a meaningful dating comparison.