Deciphering timing and rates of Central German Chernozem/Phaeozem formation through high resolution single-grain luminescence dating.

ABSTRACT: Chernozems/Phaeozems are important agricultural resources and have been intensively used for millennia. However, their origin and age are still controversial. In Europe, the westernmost widespread Chernozem/Phaeozem area is located in Central Germany. In contrast to other German regions with anthropogenic Chernozems/Phaeozems, their natural origin is suggested in connection with intensive bioturbation. Yet, radiocarbon is unsuitable for decoding Chernozem/Phaeozem formation so this hypothesis remains untested, whereas single-grain luminescence dating allows to discriminate between different soil sub-processes and formation phases. We applied single-grain feldspar luminescence to a Central German Chernozem that was buried during the Bronze Age and subsequently protected from pedogenic proce

SUBMITTER: von Suchodoletz H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10036524 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature