Pb-210-dating of sediments with models assuming a constant flux: CFCS, CRS, PLUM, and the novel & chi;-mapping. Review, performance tests, and guidelines

The 210Pb-based method has been widely used for five decades to determine absolute ages in recent sediments on the centennial scale. Decoding a chronology from the empirical data set requires a series of assumptions that define a mathematical model of the sedimentary conditions. This work aims to provide a comprehensive review of the fundamentals of the existing family of models assuming a constant flux of excess 210Pb at the sediment surface, namely the CFCS, CRS, and PLUM models, and to present the novel x-mapping versions of the CFCS and CF models. Their performance is assessed with a selected group of five cores from literature data, with varve chronologies or independent time marks. The PLUM model did not produce reliable chronologies in any of the cores studied. The CRS model is too sensitive to an accurate estimation of the total inventory. A weighted-fit and the x-mapping versions of the CFCS model are prone to over-represent the younger regions of the core. The CFCS model with least squares fitting and the x-CF models performed best under the most common sedimentary conditions, which involve temporal variability in the fluxes randomly distributed in the time line. A practical strategy is suggested to identify the occurrence of such sedimentary conditions through the combined use of a set of models, providing this way further strength to the 210Pb-dating.

Automated summary

This study comprehensively reviews the existing mathematical models based on the 210Pb method and evaluates their performance. The PLUM model was found to not produce reliable chronologies in any of the studied cores, while the CRS model is too sensitive to accurate estimation of total inventory. The CFCS model with least squares fitting and the x-CF models performed the best under common sedimentary conditions.