A portable spectroradiometer for calibrating the weathering state of sediments and landforms as a chronometer

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Landscapes and sediments preserve valuable information about how ancient climate changes affected Earth's surface in the past. Such information offers a critical guide for the future. However, these records cannot be unlocked unless the ages of sedimentary deposits are known, and unfortunately existing dating techniques are complex, expensive and time consuming. We aim to explore a new approach to estimating the ages of landscape features and sediments, based on characterising how much weathering they have experienced. Weathering involves the gradual alteration of minerals, resulting in predictable, time-sensitive changes in the composition of sediments, rocks and soils. Preliminary results show that a simple weathering index, measured using the brightness of these materials in different wavelengths of light, has great potential as a reliable and accessible age predictor. We are requesting funds to purchase one portable spectroradiometer, a device that would enable us to explore weathering pathways and kinetics across a range of landscapes. The data generated would allow us to explore this approach to estimating the ages of sediments left behind by rivers, landslides, glaciers, and other landscape features. The instrument would enable important progress on multiple research fronts. In particular, there is an opportunity for Canada to pioneer this new, low-cost and field-based chronometric approach with widespread anticipated applications. One important application will be the generation of detailed reconstructions of how ancient climate changes affected Earth's surface environments, providing important insights about future climate change impacts, both here in Canada and elsewhere. A portable spectroradiometer would bring broad benefits to our geomorphological, geological, geochemical, engineering, and environmental research and training programs.