Open AccessA practical tool for examining paleoerosion rates from sedimentary deposits using cosmogenic radionuclides: Examples from hypothetical scenarios and data
Author(s) -
Val Pedro,
Hoke Gregory D.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
geochemistry, geophysics, geosystems
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.928
H-Index - 136
ISSN - 1525-2027
DOI - 10.1002/2016gc006608
Subject(s) - geology , radionuclide , sedimentary rock , matlab , sediment , algorithm , computer science , geochemistry , geomorphology , programming language , physics , quantum mechanics
We provide a Matlab TM ‐based algorithm that calculates paleoerosion rates based on measured Cosmogenic Radionuclide (CRN) concentrations from sedimentary deposits and additional geological constraints provided by the user. Based on the input data, the algorithm models CRN concentrations accumulated due to sediment burial and the subsequent exhumation of these deposits. Description of the methods and applications of the algorithm are provided, which includes single or coupled CRNs (i.e., 10 Be or 10 Be + 26 Al). Results from the literature are reproduced. Further applicability of this algorithm is demonstrated with hypothetical scenarios of paleoerosion rates. The tool can be used toward the exploration of necessary assumptions, feasibility of case‐studies, and method limits. This contribution accompanies an overview of the paleoerosion rate method, its applications, and necessary assumptions.