A comparison of methods for the annual radiation dose determination in the luminescence dating of loess sediment

A study was made of the performance of several methods for annual radiation dose determination in luminescence dating of loess sediment. In a homogeneous loess site at Volkegem (Belgium), NaI(Tl) gamma-ray field measurements were performed, followed by collection of samples which were then analyzed in the laboratory with the following techniques: low-background NaI(Tl) gamma-ray spectrometry; low-background extended-energy range Ge gamma-ray spectrometry; k0-standardized reactor neutron activation analysis; thick-source ZnS alpha counting, both in the integral and in the pair counting mode; low-background GM beta counting; and atomic absorption spectrometry. A critical comparison was made of the K, Th and U concentration data, and also of calculated and measured annual radiation doses, as obtained from the different methods investigated. From the Ge gamma-spectrometric results, conclusions could be drawn concerning the equilibrium of the Th and U series.