Call IV
Electron Spin Resonance dating SR2025-I
Call IV for competitive access is now open for ESR dating (SR2025-I) of optically bleached quartz grains from sediments or sedimentary rocks (ref1) at the Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Dating Laboratory of CENIEH. This initiative aims to support scientific research by providing access to the laboratory's advanced analytical instrumentation.
From: 5th June 2025
To: 30th June 2025
The SR2025-I includes:
- Laboratory preparation, measurement, and analysis of samples provided by the user, as well as data interpretation and age calculation. Field sampling by laboratory personnel may also be conducted if required.
- Laboratory preparation and analysis will be carried out over a period of up to 24 months from the time the samples are received.
- 'Rate A', as outlined in the general fee schedule, will apply to accepted proposals under this competitive access call.
To submit your proposal, please register with the User Office before creating it, or log in with your existing credentials. Complete the 'Competitive Access' tab and select code SR2025-I.
Information
| Submission period | Experiment period | Call for Proposal: Competitive code | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| From 05/06/2025 to 30/06/2025 |
24 months from the date the samples are received by the laboratory
|
Electron Spin Resonance dating SR2025-I |
Request for Electron Spin Resonance dating SR2025-I
The service offered includes field sampling, if required, laboratory preparation, measurement, data analysis and interpretation, and the delivery of a final results report.
It is also possible for samples to be collected directly by the applicants, provided that specific sample collection conditions (ref-2) and acceptance requirements are met.
A total of 10 samples will be accepted under this call.
Samples must be submitted to the Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) Dating Laboratory by October 2025. Final results will be communicated no later than October 2027, depending on the arrival date, type, and characteristics of the samples.
For this call, applicants must include in the 'General Information' tab of the 'Project / Experiment' section in the User Office portal at least the following information:
- A brief document (maximum 2 pages) justifying the relevance of the objectives of the proposed work.
If the samples were collected by the applicant, the following field data must be provided to the laboratory:
• Number of samples (no more than 4–5 samples per application is recommended).
• General description of the context in which the samples were collected, including the geographical coordinates of each sample, depth with respect to the top of the deposit, and any in situ dosimetry associated with the sampling (**).
• General chronological framework (e.g., Holocene, Pleistocene, Pliocene) of the dated deposits, and sedimentary environment (e.g., karst, fluvial, alluvial).
• Any additional information considered relevant for proposal evaluation.
Other information considered relevant for the evaluation of the proposal.
Based on the number of applications received, their scientific merit (as determined by the Evaluation Committee), and taking into account the maximum number of samples for this call (n=10):
- The maximum number of samples awarded may differ from the number initially indicated in a given application. It is recommended not to include more than 4 samples per access request.
- If necessary, the Center reserves the right to limit the number of samples awarded to a single PI (submitting one or multiple applications) so that it does not exceed 50% of the total samples available for the call (n=5).
For inquiries during the proposal preparation phase (sample characteristics, preparation procedure, analysis, etc.), please contact: davinia.moreno@cenieh.es and mariajesus.alonso@cenieh.es, referencing code SR2025-I.
For more information or assistance with the User Office portal, contact user@cenieh.es, also referencing code SR2025-I.
Proposals must be submitted between June 5 and June 30, 2025, by 11:59 PM.
No electronic submissions will be accepted after the specified date and time
Relevant references:
(ref 1) Principios básicos del método de datación: Duval, M. (2018). Sobre el potencial de la Resonancia Paramagnética Electrónica como herramienta geocronologica en contexto geoarqueológico: un resumen de 30 años de investigación en la Península Ibérica. Boletín Geológico y Minero 129 (1-2), pp. 35-57. https://bgm.revistas.csic.es/index.php/bgm/article/view/169.
(ref 2) Recomendaciones básicas para optimizar las condiciones de muestreo: Moreno, D., Richard, M., Bahain, J.-J., Duval, M., Falguères, C., Tissoux, H., Voinchet, P. (2017). ESR dating of sedimentary quartz grains: some basic guidelines to ensure optimal sampling conditions. Quaternaire 28(2), p. 161-166. https://shs.hal.science/hal-02425560/.