Quartz Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) and Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) offer valuable quantitative tools both for dating a wide array of Quaternary deposits but also for understanding sediment provenance and dynamics. However, the variability of quartz sensitivity remains an issue, attributed either to (i) the intrinsic properties of source bedrock, (ii) processes during sediment transport and deposition, or (iii) both. This study tackles this key question by investigating quartz from magmatic, metamorphic, and sedimentary formations in the Strengbach catchment (Vosges Massif, France).

Using a combination of ESR, OSL, and LA-ICPMS trace element analyses, our study reveals significant relationships between quartz OSL/ESR sensitivities and source bedrock characteristics, such as lithology, crystallization conditions, and deformation histories. ESR Ti-centre and OSL signals are notably influenced by trace elements like Al, Li, and Ti. Samples that underwent high pressure during metamorphism along with those located in the tectonic shear zone show both lowest OSL and ESR intensities, while higher sensitivities are observed in plutonic rocks and sandstones. This suggests that (i) pressure can be one of the prevailing factors driving changes in OSL/ESR sensitivities (ii) enhanced OSL sensitivity in mature and recycled sediments underscores the impact of sedimentary transport and reworking. As preliminary results of along-stream, in situ measured OSL signal intensity show no spatial pattern, further investigations are required to explore this topic. Our results highlight the need for careful interpretation of ESR and OSL signals, both for dating or sourcing, particularly in sediments derived from metamorphic terrains.

The Cretaceous period of the European Alps is constrained mostly by thermobarometric and geochronologic data obtained on metamorphic basement units complemented by investigations on the sedimentary record. Our advanced sediment provenance approach using detrital zircon double-dating reveals high- and low-temperature age constraints that allow for (i) assigning potential source formations to Cretaceous siliciclastic sequences of the Eastern Alps and (ii) derive a model of sediment pathways through space and time.

We performed U-Pb-He double dating on 970 detrital zircon grains from 12 samples, deposited from Early Cretaceous to early Eocene in the Eastern Alps. Additionally two reference samples from the Alps and from the Bohemian Massif were also dated. The detrital U-Pb age spectra are compared to published zircon U-Pb age distributions obtained on the potential source units. The Fflysch and Gosau samples show different age patterns: while the Flysch shows strong similarities to age patterns obtained on the Bohemian Massif, the characteristic Variscan and Caledonian age components are largely missing in the Gosau samples. The (U-Th)/He low-temperature cooling ages form three, well distinguishable age groups: 250-180 Ma, indicating provenance from the European craton; 160-100 Ma, indicating Upper Austroalpine hanging wall units and the Jurassic nappe complex; and 70-50 Ma hinting to the Austroalpine core complexes. The Flysch is dominantly European in origin with some Alpine detritus, while the Gosau sediment derived mostly from the Eoalpine core complexes. We present a reconstruction of the sediment supply pathways in four time slices for the Early Cretaceous to Paleogene Eastern Alps.

Zircon from North German drill cores represent an important archive for reconstructing sedimentary processes. In this study, we analyzed magmatic zircons from rhyolites (Lower Permian) and detrital zircon grains from the Upper Rotliegend II strata (Upper Permian) in the southern North German Basin, using a multi-proxy approach that includes morphology, trace element composition, U–Pb geochronology, and Lu–Hf isotopic data. The dataset allow us to trace sedimentary fluxes and provenance pathways within the basin. Understanding the evolution of such an extensive sedimentary system is essential, considering the basin’s significance in reconstructing sediment dynamics within a supercontinent configuration.

We dated a rhyolite marking the base of the succession to 296±2 Ma. This volcanic unit is overlain by fine-grained sandstones. Detrital zircon grains from these sandstones exhibit a progressive change in roundness—from predominantly angular to mostly rounded—across all age groups, indicating varying degrees of sedimentary reworking. U–Pb dating of zircons from the lower core sections reveals major age populations corresponding to the Permian, Carboniferous, and Cambrian periods, alongside minor contributions from the Neo-, Meso-, and Paleoproterozoic eras. These age spectra reflect the tectonothermal imprints of the Cadomian and Variscan orogenies and sediment recycling linked to the evolution of the Rheic Ocean. In contrast, the upper core shows an influx of Meso- to Paleoproterozoic material, likely sourced from Baltica. This compositional and morphological diversity highlights the complexity of sedimentary processes in the Central German Basin and points to a dynamic interplay between recycled detritus and input from exposed crystalline bedrock.

Loess-Paleosol-Sequences (LPS) are important sedimentary archives that enable to infer climatological parameters during the Quaternary at high temporal resolution. Three isochronous, central European LPS sites were investigated by means of heavy mineral, single-grain sedimentary provenance analysis using an automated, correlative workflow guided by machine learning. The goals of this study are (1) to investigate if regional differences exists between the LPS in terms of heavy mineral composition (2) if local sources can be disentangled from regional ones and (3) if short-lived processes affecting the source-to-sink system are detectable.

The LPS compose a transect from SW to NE Germany. Synchronicity was controlled by presence of the Eltville tephra (ca. 23.2 – 25.6 ka) and/or precise OSL age modeling, confirming sedimentation during the last glacial maximum.

120 silt-sized heavy mineral aliquots were analyzed by microscopy, Raman-spectroscopy and electron microprobe, resulting in a correlated dataset of grain parameters (size, roundness, color, etc.), mineralogy and chemical composition for each grain analyzed.

First results show that the LPS are differentiated based on heavy mineral composition, supporting a Southern, Alpine and Northern, Fennoscandian provenance. Heavy mineral ratios and garnet chemistry reveal abrupt, centennial changes in the Southern and Northern LPS. This points to re-organization of the sediment routing system in the Rhine flood plain at the Southern site. While at the Northern site the advancement of the Scandinavian Ice Sheet probably perturbs the westerlies resulting in short-lived phases of increased deflation from the East.

Heavy minerals are essential for reconstructing provenance, paleogeography, and the evolution of continental crust, as well as for understanding petrological and tectonic processes. Moreover, analysing heavy minerals from modern rivers can be a more efficient way to assess the diversity of rock types exposed in a region than direct sampling of individual outcrops. Among these heavy minerals, detrital zircon has been extensively studied due to its robustness and suitability for U-Pb geochronology, providing critical age information on source rocks. However, the detrital zircon record in European rivers often does not quantitatively reflect the contributing drainage areas. This discrepancy is largely due to two factors: sediment recycling and the highly variable zircon fertility of different source rocks. To overcome these limitations, we expanded our analysis to include other heavy minerals from European river sediments. We focused on minerals that are both datable by the U-Pb method and less affected by recycling, such as titanite and apatite, as well as those found in zircon-poor lithologies, like rutile from mafic and metamorphic rocks. Our findings show that the U-Pb record of detrital rutile is similarly influenced by recycling, but in the case of the Variscan Orogeny, it records earlier events than zircon. In contrast, titanite, largely first-cycle in origin, best reflects the Alpidic Orogeny, an event that is nearly invisible in the detrital zircon and rutile records. Dating detrital apatite in combination with trace element analysis, is a useful tool for distinguishing between different geological processes, especially within the Variscan Orogeny.