Rabiul Biswas | Physical Research Laboratory (original) (raw)

Papers by Rabiul Biswas

&lt;p&gt;Our ability to quantify past climate conditions is crucial for predictin... more &lt;p&gt;Our ability to quantify past climate conditions is crucial for predicting future scenarios and landscape evolution. To date, reconstructions of the Earth&amp;#8217;s past climate have mostly relied on the use of climate proxies to infer previous surface conditions (e.g. Jones and Mann, 2004 for a review). However, few methods exist that are capable of directly measuring past temperature histories, particularly in terrestrial settings.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The aim of this study is to contribute towards a more detailed understanding of glacial and interglacial temperature fluctuations across the Central and Western Alps, from the Last Glacial Maximum to present day, by constraining past temperatures of exposed bedrock surfaces adjacent to the Gorner glacier in Zermatt, Switzerland. This is done through the recently developed application of feldspar thermoluminescence to surface paleothermometry (Biswas et al., 2018; 2020). The thermoluminescence signal of feldspar, from room temperature to 450&amp;#176;C, is sourced from a continuous distribution of electron traps within the crystal lattice (Biswas et al., 2018). The release of this trapped charge is temperature dependent and thus, at room temperature, results in traps with a range of thermal stabilities with electron residence times ranging from less than a year to several billion years (Aitken 1985). Traps sensitive to typical surface temperature variations (e.g. &amp;#8764;10&amp;#176;C) have been shown to lie between 200&amp;#176;C and 250&amp;#176;C of the TL glow curve (Biswas et al., 2020). From this temperature range, five thermometers (200&amp;#176;C to 250&amp;#176;C in 10&amp;#176;C intervals) can be used together as a multi-thermometer, and subsequently combined with a Bayesian inversion approach to constrain thermal histories over the last &amp;#8764;50 kyr (Biswas et al., 2020).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this study, the preliminary temperature histories of five bedrock samples with independently constrained exposure ages, exposed progressively since the Last Glacial Maximum, will be presented.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;References:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Aitken, M.J., 1985. Thermoluminescence Dating. Academic Press, London.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Jones, P.D., Mann, M.E., 2004. Climate over past millennia. Reviews of Geophysics, 42, 2004.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Biswas, R.H., Herman, F., King, G.E., Braun, J., 2018. Thermoluminescence of feldspar as a multi-thermochronometer to constrain the temporal variation of rock exhumation in the recent past. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 495, 56-68.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Biswas, R.H., Herman, F., King, G.E., Lehmann, B., Singhvi, A.K., 2020. Surface paleothermometry using low temperature thermoluminescence of feldspar. Climate of the Past, 16, 2075-2093.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Our ability to quantify past climate conditions is crucial for understan... more &lt;p&gt;Our ability to quantify past climate conditions is crucial for understanding and predicting future climate scenarios as well as landscape evolution. One of the most drastic climatic changes in Earth&amp;#8217;s history was the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) where a significant area of the planet&amp;#8217;s surface was covered in ice (Clark et al., 2009). However, most reconstructions of the Earth&amp;#8217;s past climate rely on the use of climate proxies (e.g. Jones and Mann, 2004 for a review), which are particularly poorly preserved in terrestrial settings previously covered by ice- thus limiting the applicability of existing methods.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Here, we apply feldspar thermoluminescence (TL) surface paleothermometry (Biswas et al., 2018; 2020) to better constrain the temperature history of exposed bedrock surfaces since the Last Glacial Maximum to present day. The aim of this study is to contribute towards a more detailed understanding of glacial and interglacial temperature fluctuations across the Central and Western Alps. Feldspar TL paleothermometry is a recently developed technique that exploits the dependence of trapped charge on temperature (Biswas et al., 2018). The trapped charge is sourced from feldspar&amp;#8217;s crystalline lattice. While a TL signal can be extracted between room temperature and 450&amp;#176;C, traps sensitive to typical surface temperature variations (e.g.10&amp;#176;C) are found between 200&amp;#176;C and 250&amp;#176;C (Biswas et al., 2020). As a result, five thermometers (200&amp;#176;C to 250&amp;#176;C in 10&amp;#176;C intervals) can be used together as a multi-thermometer, and subsequently combined with a Bayesian inversion approach to constrain thermal histories over the last50 kyr (Biswas et al., 2020).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The temperature histories of bedrock samples collected down two vertical transects adjacent to the Gorner (Switzerland) and the Mer de Glace (France) glaciers, which have been exposed progressively since the LGM, will be presented. Preliminary results suggest a temperature difference of &amp;#8764;10 &amp;#176;C in both locations, which is promising and in agreement with past surface temperatures obtained from other studies.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;References&lt;/strong&gt;:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Biswas, R.H., Herman, F., King, G.E., Braun, J., 2018. Thermoluminescence of feldspar as a multi-thermochronometer to constrain the temporal variation of rock exhumation in the recent past. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 495, 56-68.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Biswas, R.H., Herman, F., King, G.E., Lehmann, B., Singhvi, A.K., 2020. Surface paleothermometry using low temperature thermoluminescence of feldspar. Climate of the Past, 16, 2075-2093.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Clark, P. U., Dyke, A. S., Shakun, J. D., Carlson, A. E., Clark, J., Wohlfarth, B., Mitrovica, J. X., Hostetler, S. W., and McCabe, A. M., 2009. The Last Glacial Maximum. Science, 325 (5941), 710-714.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Jones, P.D., Mann, M.E., 2004. Climate over past millennia. Reviews of Geophysics, 42, 2004.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;The exhumation of bedrock is controlled by the interplay between tectoni... more &lt;p&gt;The exhumation of bedrock is controlled by the interplay between tectonics, surface processes and climate. The highest exhumation rates of cm/yr are recorded in zones of highly active tectonic convergence such as the southern Alps of New Zealand or Himalayan syntaxes, where high rock uplift rates combine with very active surface processes. Here, we use a combination of different thermochronometric systems, and notably trapped-charge thermochronometery, to show that such rates also occur in the Hida Range, Japanese Alps. Our results imply that cm/yr rates of exhumation may be more common than previously thought.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The Hida Range is the most northern and most extensive of the Japanese Alps, and reaches elevations of up to 3000 m a.s.l. The Hida Range is thought to have uplifted in the last 3 Myr in response to E-W compression and magmatism. Our study focuses on samples from the Kurobe gorge, which is one of the steepest gorges in Japan. Previous work has shown that exhumation rates in this region are exceptionally high, as documented by the exposure of the ~0.8 Ma Kurobe granite (Ito et al., 2013) in the gorge. We combined 12 new zircon (U-Th/He) ages and 11 new OSL-thermochronometry ages together with existing thermochronometric data to investigate the late Pleistocene exhumation of this region.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We found that exhumation rates increased to ~10 mm/yr within the past 300 kyr, likely in response to river base-level fall that increased channel steepness due to climatically controlled eustatic changes. Our thermochronometry data allow the development of time-series of exhumation rate changes at the timescale of glacial-interglacial cycles and show a four-fold increase in baseline rates over the past ~65 kyr. This increase in exhumation rate is likely explained by knickpoint propagation due to a combination of very high precipitation rates, climatic change, sea-level fall, range-front faulting and moderate rock uplift. Our data show that in regions with horizontal convergence, coupling between climate, surface processes and tectonics can exert a significant effect on rates of exhumation.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;References&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Ito, H., Yamada, R., Tamura, A., Arai, S., Horie, K., Hokada T., 2013. Earth&amp;#8217;s youngest exposed granite and its tectonic implications: the 10-0.8 Ma Kurobegawa Granite. Scientific Reports 3: 1306.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;

This data comes from the study of marine terraces from the Iranian Makran. This second version co... more This data comes from the study of marine terraces from the Iranian Makran. This second version contains .zip compressed files instead of .rar . A_files are seven terrace maps of the region of Jask, Tang, Gurdim, Konarak, Chabahar-Ramin, Lipar and Pasabander. B_file are results of Radiocarbon and 230Th/U dating of mollusk shells from the marine deposits above the terraces. C_file are results of Optically Stimulated Luminescence dating (OSL) of said deposits. D_files are field pictures. The data is published in support for the paper mentioned in the title (submitted to Earth Surface Dynamics). Brief description: Terrace maps are accompanied with a datamodel excel file explaining the different GIS layers. The maps are provided in both .KMZ files (for Google Earth) and Shapefiles Radiometric (i.e. both Radiocarbon and 230Th/U) analytical details are provided, together with XRD analysis of the Aragonitic shells and som...

The data comes from the study of Holocene beaches from the Iranian Makran. More exactly, the beac... more The data comes from the study of Holocene beaches from the Iranian Makran. More exactly, the beaches in Pozm bay, Chabahar bay and the longitudinal beach west of the village of Beris. The data contain field pictures and their legends, results and analytical details of radiocarbon dating, SEM secondary electron images of the analysed shells and the results and analytical details of optically stimulated luminescence dating (OSL). The data is published in support for the paper mentioned in the title. A to D are field pictures and legends of: A - Pozm bay field pictures B - Chabahar bay field pictures C - Beris beach field pictures D - Observed current depositional settings E - Radiocarbon dating results and analytical supplementary information F - Secondary electrons SEM images of the analysed shells G - OSL dating results and analytical supplementary information Radiocarbon analytical details are provided, together with XRD a...

Geology, 2021

The Namche Barwa syntaxis in the eastern Himalaya is rapidly evolving in terms of its tectonics a... more The Namche Barwa syntaxis in the eastern Himalaya is rapidly evolving in terms of its tectonics and topography. Here we constrain the exhumation history of the Yigong River to the immediate north of the syntaxis across different time scales using a multidisciplinary approach. Our new thermochronometric data reveal an acceleration of exhumation rates since 2 Ma in the downstream of the Yigong. Cosmogenic nuclides and thermoluminescence thermochronometry analyses confirm persistent rapid exhumation in the lower Yigong over the Quaternary with further increased exhumation in the last 100 ka. Together with the analysis of the morphology of the Yigong River profile, we interpret that northward expansion of the syntaxis together with capture of the Yigong by the Yarlung Tsangpo River during this expansion is responsible for the exhumation history of the Yigong River in the Quaternary.

The rate equation that describes the trapped charge population corresponding to a particular lumi... more The rate equation that describes the trapped charge population corresponding to a particular luminescence trap is described by Biswas et al. (2018) for thermoluminescence (TL) of feldspar for general order kinetics, and is shown below.

Thermoluminescence (TL) of feldspar is investigated for its potential to extract temperature hist... more Thermoluminescence (TL) of feldspar is investigated for its potential to extract temperature histories experienced by rocks exposed at Earth's surface. TL signals from feldspar observed in the laboratory arise from the release of trapped electrons from a continuous distribution of trapping energies that have a range of thermal stabilities. The distribution of trapping energies, or thermal stabilities, is such that the lifetime of trapped electrons at room temperature ranges from less than a year to several billion years. Shorter lifetimes are associated with low-temperature TL signals, or peaks, and longer lifetimes are associated with high temperature TL signals. Here we show that trapping energies associated with shorter lifetimes, or lower-temperature TL signals (i.e. between 200 and 250 • C), are sensitive to temperature fluctuations occurring at Earth's surface over geological timescales. Furthermore, we show that it is possible to reconstruct past surface temperature histories in terrestrial settings by exploiting the continuous distribution of trapping energies. The potential of this method is first tested through theoretical experiments, in which a periodic temperature history is applied to a kinetic model that encapsulates the kinetic characteristics of TL thermometry. We then use a Bayesian approach to invert TL measurements into temperature histories of rocks, assuming that past temperature variations follow climate variations observed in the δ 18 O records. Finally, we test the approach on two samples collected at the Mer de Glace (Mont Blanc massif, European Alps) and find similar temperature histories for both samples. Our results show that the TL of feldspar may be used as a paleothermometer.

Geochronology, 2020

The electron spin resonance (ESR) of quartz has previously been shown to have potential for deter... more The electron spin resonance (ESR) of quartz has previously been shown to have potential for determining rock cooling histories; however, this technique remains underdeveloped. In this study, we explore the ESR of a suite of samples from the Hida range of the Japanese Alps. We develop measurement protocols and models to constrain the natural trapped-charge concentration as well as the parameters that govern signal growth and signal thermal decay. The thermal stability of the Al and Ti centres is similar to that of the luminescence of feldspar. Inverting the ESR data for cooling yields similar thermal histories to paired luminescence data from the same samples. However, a series of synthetic inversions shows that whereas the luminescence of feldspar can only resolve minimum cooling histories of ∼ 160 • C Myr −1 over timescales of 10 3−5 years, quartz ESR may resolve cooling histories as low as 25-50 • C Myr −1 over timescales of 10 3−7 years. This difference arises because quartz ESR has a higher dating limit than the luminescence of feldspar. These results imply that quartz ESR will be widely applicable in the constraint of late-stage rock cooling histories, providing new insights into landscape evolution over late Quaternary timescales.

Geology, 2019

Since the Last Glacial Maximum, ∼20 k.y. ago, Alpine glaciers have retreated and thinned. This tr... more Since the Last Glacial Maximum, ∼20 k.y. ago, Alpine glaciers have retreated and thinned. This transition exposed bare bedrock surfaces that could then be eroded by a combination of debuttressing or local frost cracking and weathering. Quantification of the respective contributions of these processes is necessary to understand the links between long-term climate and erosion in mountains. Here, we quantified the erosion histories of postglacial exposed bedrock in glacial valleys. Combining optically stimulated luminescence and terrestrial cosmogenic nuclide (TCN) surface exposure dating, we estimated the erosion rate of bedrock surfaces at time scales from 101 to 104 yr. Bedrock surfaces sampled from the flanks of the Mer de Glace (Mont Blanc massif, European Alps) revealed erosion rates that vary from 3.5 ± 1.2 ⋅ 10−3 mm/yr to 4.3 ± 0.6 mm/yr over ∼500 m of elevation, with a negative correlation between erosion rate and elevation. The observed spatial variation in erosion rates, and...

Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 2019

Quaternary paleoshorelines are common landforms on the island of Crete, a forearc high above the ... more Quaternary paleoshorelines are common landforms on the island of Crete, a forearc high above the Hellenic Subduction Zone. These geomorphic markers are useful on Crete and elsewhere in determining coastal uplift rates, the identification of active geologic structures, and to constrain geodynamic models and seismic hazards. Controversy exists in the literature regarding the formation mechanisms and age of late Pleistocene paleoshorelines on Crete that has led to competing models of the uplift history, tectonic evolution, and seismic hazards of the Hellenic forearc. We present new mapping and results from luminescence and radiocarbon geochronology of paleoshoreline deposits that constrain the spatial and temporal pattern of rock uplift around the Cretan coastline. Existing and new radiocarbon data are variable and show no obvious age-elevation trends within individual terrace sequences. By contrast, nearly all luminescence ages, some from shorelines dated with radiocarbon, show positive age-elevation trends and range from 60-220 ka suggesting that all dated paleoshorelines are beyond the limits of radiocarbon. We propose that the inconsistencies between the different geochronological methods are the result of secondary contamination of young carbonate, possibly from meteoric waters, that bias radiocarbon in Cretan Pleistocene marine fossils. Most luminescence ages closely correlate with the timing of mid-to-late Pleistocene relative sea level highstands, consistent with stratigraphic observations. Calculated coastal uplift rates using a Monte-Carlo error analysis range from ∼0-1.2 mm/yr; the lowest uplift rates are found along the northern and eastern coasts of the island, while the most rapid are focused along the southern and western coasts where active normal faults are observed offsetting paleoshoreline sequences. Based on this new data, we favor a tectonic model where slip along upper crustal normal faults acts to locally augment a steady regional signal of uplift along the south and west coast, interpreted to result from the deep underplating of rock at the base of the subduction wedge beneath Crete. Arcward of the contact between the upper plate Moho and the top of the subducting slab, crustal thinning will occur in the orogenic wedge resulting in subsidence along the north coast of Crete.

The Makran coast displays evidence of surface uplift since at least the Late Pleistocene, but it ... more The Makran coast displays evidence of surface uplift since at least the Late Pleistocene, but it remains uncertain whether this displacement is accommodated by creep on the subduction interface, or in a series of large earthquakes. Here, we address this problem by looking at the short term (Holocene) history of continental vertical displacements recorded in the geomorphology and sedimentary succession of the Makran beaches. In the region of Chabahar (Southern Iran), we study two bay-beaches through the description, measurement and dating of 13 sedimentary sections with a combination of radiocarbon and Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dating. Our results show that lagoonal settings dominate the early Holocene. A flooding surface associated with the Holocene maximum transgression is followed by a prograding sequence of tidal and beach deposits. In Pozm bay, we observe a rapid horizontal progradation of the beach ridge succession (3.5 m/y over the last 1950 years). A 3150 year o...

Earth Surface Dynamics Discussions, 2019

Assessing the impact of Quaternary glaciation at the Earth's surface implies understanding of the... more Assessing the impact of Quaternary glaciation at the Earth's surface implies understanding of the long-term evolution of alpine landscapes. In particular, it requires simultaneous quantification of the impact of climate variability on past glacier fluctuations and on bedrock erosion. Here we present a new approach for evaluating post-glacial bedrock surface erosion in mountainous environments by combining in-situ cosmogenic 10 Be (TCN) and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) surface exposure dating. Using a numerical approach, we show how it is possible to simultaneously invert bedrock OSL signals and 10 Be concentrations into quantitative estimates of post-glacial exposure duration and bedrock surface erosion. By exploiting the fact that OSL and TCN data are integrated over different timescales, this approach can be used to estimate how bedrock erosion rates vary spatially and temporally since glacier retreat in an alpine environment. alteration of rock surfaces exposed to atmospheric conditions. Rock alteration can occur through different ways, involving physical (e.g., frost-cracking), chemical and biological processes that weaken and modify the rock surface (e.g., deterioration, decay, crumbling, decomposition, rotting, disintegration, disaggregation or breakdown) and ultimately results in its progressive

Earth Surface Dynamics Discussions, 2018

The western part of the Makran subduction zone (Iran) has not experienced a great megathrust eart... more The western part of the Makran subduction zone (Iran) has not experienced a great megathrust earthquake in recent human history, yet, the presence of emerged marine terraces along the coast indicates that the margin has been tectonically active during at least the late Quaternary. To better understand the surface deformation of this region, we mapped the terraces sequences of seven localities along the Iranian Makran. Additionnaly, we performed radiocarbon, 230 Th/U and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating of the layers of marine sediments deposited on top of the terraces. This enabled us to correlate the terraces regionally and to assign them to different Quaternary sea level highstands. Our results show east-west variations in surface uplift rates mostly between 0.05 and 1.2 mm y-1. We detected a region of anomalously high uplift rate, where two MIS 3 terraces are emerged, yet we are uncertain how to insert these results in a geologically coherent context. Although it is presently not clear whether the uplift of the terraces is linked with the occurrence of large megathrust earthquakes, our results highlight heterogeneous accumulation of deformation in the overriding plate.

Mediterranean Archaeology and Archaeometry

In recent years considerable effort has been made to extend the dating limits and accuracies of l... more In recent years considerable effort has been made to extend the dating limits and accuracies of luminescence dating and its applications to archeological sciences. These include, for example, the use of single grains for dating (Duller 2008: 589-612; Jacobs and Roberts 2007: 210-223), research on athermal fading to explore the use of feldspars (with higher saturation dose) for dating (Huntley 2006: 1359-1365; Lamothe and Auclair 1999: 319-323), the use of red TL for the dating of volcanic ash (Fattahi and Stokes 2003: 647-660; Visocekas and Guérin 2006: 942-947) and direct dating of archeological contexts (Chawla and Singhvi 1989: 416-418; Singhvi et al. 1986: 205-207). Use of some of these have provided useful new data on chronometry and have placed luminescence dating on the central stage amongst other chronometric techniques available for the dating archeological sites and several important results on aspects of human dispersal and chronometry have been reported (Anikovich et al....

Radiation protection dosimetry, Jan 13, 2014

Nano-CaF2, prepared by the co-precipitation method, was annealed under different annealing condit... more Nano-CaF2, prepared by the co-precipitation method, was annealed under different annealing conditions to improve its thermoluminescence (TL) characteristics. Different annealing parameters, such as temperature (400-700°C), duration (1-4 h) and environment (vacuum and air), were explored. The effect on TL sensitivity, peak position (Tm) and full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) with respect to the different annealing conditions are discussed as they are the measure of crystallinity of the material. Annealing temperature of 500°C with annealing duration of two and a half hours in vacuum provided the highest luminescence response (i.e. maximum sensitivity, minimum peak temperature and FWHM). Wide detectable dose range (5 mGy to 2 kGy), absence of thermal quenching and sufficient activation energy (1.04 eV) of this phosphor make it suitable for dosimetric applications.

ABSTRACT The present study is aimed to determine thermal and metamorphic history of Chelyabinsk m... more ABSTRACT The present study is aimed to determine thermal and metamorphic history of Chelyabinsk meteorite using thermoluminescence (TL). TL sensitivity suggests the meteorite belongs to type 5–6, and equivalent dose profile suggest perihelion of ~0.57 AU.

Radiation Measurements, 2009

Al 2 O 3 :C is an established thermoluminescence (TL)/optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dos... more Al 2 O 3 :C is an established thermoluminescence (TL)/optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dosemeter for personnel, space and medical applications. Mathematically, the decay of Al 2 O 3 :C OSL can be described by a sum of three exponentials, termed as fast, medium and slow components. The shape of the OSL decay of Al 2 O 3 :C is known to be dose dependent. This contribution explores this observation and provides a simple explanation for the dose-dependent OSL decay shape using the differences in the dose response of the individual components. The growth of these components with radiation dose is different such that the fast component grows linearly up to 300 Gy and the medium and slow components saturate at w20 Gy. Further, the shape of the OSL decay from an alpha-irradiated sample is similar to a sample irradiated to high beta doses. Component-specific alpha efficiency shows that the fast component has higher alpha efficiency as compared to the medium and the slow components.