A worldwide meta-analysis (1977–2020) of sediment core dating using fallout radionuclides including <sup>137</sup>Cs and <sup>210</sup>Pb<sub>xs</sub>

Abstract. Dating recent sediment archives (< 150 years) constitutes a prerequisite for environmental and climatic reconstructions. Radiocaesium (137Cs) emitted during thermonuclear bomb testing (∼ 1950–1980) nuclear accidents the decrease in excess lead-210 (210Pbxs) with depth are often combined to establish core chronology. Although these methods have been widely used last several decades, there is lack of structured comprehensive worldwide synthesis fallout radionuclide analyses dating cores Earth sciences. The current literature overview was based on compilation 573 articles published between 1977 2020, reporting collection 1351 individual (the dataset can be accessed at https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.931493; Foucher et al., 2021). This review conducted order map locations where 137Cs events were detected. These included peak 1963, Chernobyl accident 1986, Fukushima 2011, 24 additional identified 112 sites that led local or regional radioactive releases (e.g., Sellafield accidents, Chinese tests). When 210Pbxs records along data, detailed information age–depth models also synthesized. With growing number studies analyzing increasing interest deployment fingerprinting techniques including radionuclides as potential discriminant properties, this spatialized provides unique characterizing sources levels global scale. particular reference attribution improving dating, it outlines main questions deserve attention future research well regions investigations should priority.