Assessing mixed dose distributions in young sediments identified using small aliquots and a simple two-step SAR procedure: the F-statistic as a diagnostic tool

In this study we have investigated the apparent dose (D-e*) distribution in four samples of young sedimentary quartz from different depositional environments, and on standard quartz comprised of artificial binary-dose mixtures. We have used a simplified two-step single-aliquot regenerative-dose (SAR) approach to rapidly measure D-e* from a large number of small aliquots (similar to 50-100 grains), with a small sub-set subjected to routine SAR measurements to enable monitoring of luminescence characteristics. We have used an F-ratio analysis to interpret D-e* distributions. This analysis is sensitive to structure, the leading edge and modal data in D-e* distributions, indicated by inflections and plateaux in F-ratio plots. We cautiously suggest that F-ratios at or approaching unity may indicate a single dose component. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.