From radiometry to chronology of a marine sediment core: A 210Pb dating interlaboratory comparison exercise organised by the IAEA

Laboratories from 14 countries (with different levels of expertise in radionuclide measurements and 210Pb dating) participated in an interlaboratory comparison exercise (ILC) related to the application of 210Pb sediment dating technique within the framework of the IAEA Coordinated Research Project. The laboratories were provided with samples from a composite sediment core and were required to provide massic activities of several radionuclides and an age versus depth model from the obtained results, using the most suitable 210Pb dating model. Massic concentrations of Zn and Cu were also determined to be used for chronology validation. The ILC results indicated good analytical performances while the dating results didn't demonstrate the same degree of competence in part due to the different experience in dating of the participant laboratories. The ILC exercise enabled evaluation of the difficulties faced by laboratories implementing 210Pb dating methods and identified some limitations in providing reliable chronologies.This work was supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Coordinated Research project “Study of Global Temporal Trends of Pollution in Selected Coastal Areas by the Application of Isotopic and Nuclear Tools” (CRP K41016).Peer reviewe