Project title:
Research on climatechange using nuclear
and isotopic techniques
In cooperation with ANSTO, Chulalongkorn
University, Fine Arts Department, Chulachomklao
Royal Military Academy, and Princess Maha
Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre

Senior nuclear scientist
Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology(TINT)

Plan & Expectation

Case Studies

Related Projects &Conclusion
FNCA Study Panel, 3-4 March,2021

Sediment
3 Research questions- The historicalclimate/record ofarchaeologicalsites?
- The past sea levelvariation?
- Ancient watermanagement?

Oyster Shells

PaleoClimate?

3 Information- Seasonality(Climate variation)- Date of site
(5,500 years or 8 Ma?)- Catastrophe/
Event of millions
oysters’accumulation
2FNCA Study Panel, 3-4 March,2021

1) Fieldworks (2018-2019)✓ 38 sediment cores✓ 9 sites from 8provinces of Thailand✓ 20 days of fieldwork

2) Sediment analysis- HXRF- ITRAX & C-14 dating at ANSTOZnAs3) Oyster shell analysis- WDXRF, NAA, ICPMS, Pb-210
dating at TINT
- Seasonality study at CAS:
Chinese Academy of Science- U-series dating at UQ (does notyet confirm)

FNCA Study Panel, 3-4 March,2021

70 kmCase study 1: Wat Chedi Hoi or Giant Oyster Temple

4FNCA Study Panel, 3-4 March,2021

1

1. Br level low indicatesperiod of decreasedorganic matter input.
Fluvial supply was moreactive.
2. Anthropogenic
indicators of possible
metal working

2

3. Major peak of Zn
indicates a single eventof unusual deposit
4. Season of death(lower Sr/Ca)
corresponds to higher
sea surface temperature
(SST)

3

Mg/Ca, Mn/Ca

Mg/Ca

Mn/Ca

Sr/Ca

Sr/Ca

0.012

0.01

0.01

0.008

0.008

40.0060.0060.004

0.004

0.002

0.002
00S4S5S6S8S9S10S11S12S13S22

S23A S23B S23CS24S25

5FNCA Study Panel, 3-4 March,2021

More organic
matter input
Koh Kood(Kood Island)

Cambodia

Flood

Higherterrestrial
input

6

Case study 2: Koh Kood or Kood/Kut Island
FNCA Study Panel, 3-4 March,2021

Case study 3: Wat Phu Khao Thong
7-7-FNCA Study Panel, 3-4 March,2021

Depth(mm)Significant
character

0-400

Current cultivation

0-700

Fluvial supply
more active

700-850

Fluvial supply lessactive1500-2500

Swamp

3000-3500

No habitation, too
active river

1. Low Calcium – current cultivation level and more organic
matter (dark colours in optical image).
2. Br levels fluctuate – indicating period of increased/
decreased organic matter input.
3. Anthropogenic indicators of possible metal working or
habitation of Arsenic and Pb levels higher than background
4. Br levels low – indicating period of decreased organic
matter input. Fluvial supply more active.
5. Br levels higher – indicating period of more organic
matter input. Fluvial supply less active, mag sus also low
6. Br levels higher – indicating period of more organic
matter input. Fluvial supply less active, Ca also low.
Possible more acidic soil conditions with local vegetation,
swamp conditions (X-radiograph shows organic
macrofossils).

8FNCA Study Panel, 3-4 March,2021

Approved Projects

Samples & Techniques

Budget (THB)

1)Investigation of thepast sea level variation✓2017-2019:
200,000THB✓✓✓✓

3 fieldworks scheduled in
2021 for sediment coresampling by new auger(procurement is inprocess)Pollen/ Microfossil
analysisHXRF
OSL dating+210Pb dating
IRMS (18O)
3H dating✓✓

ITRAX (15-30 meters)
At least 15 AMS dating✓

Fossil oyster shells✓Sr/Ca and Mg/Ca by NAA,
WDXRF, ICP-MS
18O by IRMS
U-series dating?

2)The historical recordof archaeological sites✓3)Understanding theSediment profile forthe investigation ofancient watermanagement

4) Reconstruction ofPaleo climate
variability

✓✓

2021:
600,000+200,000 THB

Collaborations

5 organizations••••

2022 : TBA•

ANSTO
Fine Arts Dept.
Chulalongkorn
UniversityPrincess Maha Chakri
SirindhornAnthropology Centre
Chulachomklao Royal
Military Academy➢ FNCA➢ ANSTO/TINT
MOU (2019-2023)
2019-2020:
200,000

Institute of EarthEnvironment; Chinese
Academy of Science &Chedi Hoi Temple

FNCA Study Panel, 3-4 March,2021

The progress against the objectives
Archive 1: Fossil oysteroA shell sample was delivered to Dr. Yan Hong at CAS's
Lab in May2020, the analysis is on-going.

oIn Thailand, the analysis methods (WDXRF, NAA,ICPMS) has been applied for determining of Ca, Sr, Mg
concentration in shell.

Archive 2: Sedimento

ITRAX scanning results of 3 sites was done, the datainterpretation is on-going.

oTwo proposals of sediment core analysis weresubmitted to ANSTO 2020-2 round but they have been
postponed to 2021-2 as of Covid-19.

oNew research project hosted by Chulachomklao Royal
Military Academy has aims to reconstruct the sedimentprofile in ancient water storage to better understand thepast water flow and water management systemfollowing the best practice to recover water resource indrought prone area in the eastern Thailand.

The project outcomes evidence our strong collaboration
among scientists, geologists and archaeologists. Inaddition, the conventional C-14 dating, OSL dating, Pb-210
dating, stable isotope analysis by IRMS and elemental
analysis by HXRF, WDXRF, NAA and ICPMS are thepromising technology available for environmental researchin Thailand.
Besides, ANSTO’s ITRAX scanning provides the best
resolution sediment profile of Thai archaeological sitesthat has never been demonstrated elsewhere.
Due to the past environmental records will be soon
retrieved; the data can be further applied to address
various questions such as the variation of paleoclimate,
the possible cause of oyster accumulation and death aswell as the past sea level variation and coastal pollution
accumulation.

FNCA Study Panel, 3-4 March,2021