As reported by Ukrinform, this was reported by Xinhua.

Their proposed method is designed to determine the age of complex sediments in arid regions, which often causes difficulties for geologists.

Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) is one of the luminescence dating techniques used to determine how long ago mineral grains were last exposed to sunlight or heated. The OSL method has found wide application, but it is not always suitable for determining the age of complex sediments.

According to Li Guoqiang, a professor at Lanzhou University’s Institute of Resources and Environment, a group of scientists spent seven years developing the innovative method and its effectiveness has been tested.

By applying the new OSL method and radiocarbon dating method alternately, the researchers determined the age of proluvial sediments at the Shalunka archaeological site in Hualong County, Qinghai Province.

After a comparative analysis, the results were the same.

As reported by Ukrinform, researchers from the Methane Institute of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People’s Republic of China have discovered single-celled microorganisms that obtain energy through the oxidation of waxy hydrocarbons.

Photo: “Xinhua”