In-situ and meteoric 10Be and 26Al measurements: Improved preparation and application at the University of Tokyo

Abstract Cosmogenic radionuclides have been widely used to decipher Earth surface processes. At the University of Tokyo Accelerator Mass Spectrometry facility (5 MV Tandem accelerator), we have been measuring both in-situ and meteoric cosmogenic 10Be and 26Al. In this paper, we report some development of methodology, including how to prepare target samples chemically to reduce their background. We then introduce some examples using the method to provide further insights into earth surface processes. These studies include: i) exposure dating to identify the growths and decays of the Antarctic ice sheet, ii) understanding ice shelf collapse history, iii) paleomagnetic excursion history reconstructions using ice cores, iv) understanding the erosion rates using depth profiles of mid latitude outcrops, v) identifying the timing of impact crater formation.