Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-fscjk Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-22T01:49:19.321Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Sample Dilution for AMS 14C Analysis of Small Samples (30–150 μg C)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 July 2016

M de Rooij ,
J van der Plicht  and
H A J Meijer
M de Rooij*
Affiliation:
Centre for Isotope Research (CIO), University of Groningen, the Netherlands
J van der Plicht
Affiliation:
Centre for Isotope Research (CIO), University of Groningen, the Netherlands
H A J Meijer
Affiliation:
Centre for Isotope Research (CIO), University of Groningen, the Netherlands
*
Corresponding author. Email: m.de.rooij@rug.nl
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

We investigated sample dilution as a technique for accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) radiocarbon analysis of very small samples (down to 30 μg). By diluting such samples up to a total weight of 200 μg, we can still perform reliable AMS measurements and improve the success rate significantly for targets that are difficult to measure. A disadvantage of this dilution technique is a loss of measurement precision. In addition, calculations of the 14C/12C isotope ratios and the uncertainties therein are not straightforward because of peculiarities in isotope fractionation processes in the AMS system. Therefore, to make sample dilution a routine method in our laboratory, we did extensive theoretical and experimental research to find the optimum conditions for all relevant parameters. Here, we report on the first detailed study dealing with all aspects of sample dilution. Our results can be applied in general. As an illustrative test case, we analyze 14C data for CO2 extracted from an ice core, from which samples of 35 μg C or less are available.

Type
Articles
Information
Radiocarbon , Volume 50 , Issue 3 , 2008 , pp. 413 - 436
Copyright
Copyright © 2008 by the Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of the University of Arizona 

References

Aerts-Bijma, AT, Meijer, HAJ, van der Plicht, J. 1997. AMS sample handling in Groningen. Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research B 123(1–4):221–5.Google Scholar
Alderliesten, C, van der Borg, K, de Jong, AFM. 1998. Contamination and fractionation effects in AMS-measured 14C/12C and 13C/12C ratios of small samples. Radiocarbon 40(1):215–21.Google Scholar
Brown, TA, Southon, JR. 1997. Corrections for contamination background in AMS 14C measurements. Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research B 123(1–4):208–13.Google Scholar
Bruins, HJ, van der Plicht, J, Mazar, A. 2003. 14C dates from Tel Rehov: Iron-Age chronology, pharaohs, and Hebrew kings. Science 300(5617):315–8.Google Scholar
de Jong, AFM, Alderliesten, C, van der Borg, K, van der Veen, C, van de Wal, RSW. 2004. Radiocarbon analysis of the EPICA Dome C ice core: no in situ 14C from the firn observed. Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research B 223–224:516–20.Google Scholar
Gottdang, A, Mous, DJW, van der Plicht, J. 1995. The HVEE 14C system at Groningen. Radiocarbon 37(2):649–56.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hua, Q, Zoppi, U, Williams, AA, Smith, AM. 2004. Small-mass AMS radiocarbon analysis at ANTARES. Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research B 223–224:284–92.Google Scholar
Klinedinst, DB, McNichol, AP, Currie, LA, Schneider, RJ, Klouda, GA, von Reden, KF, Verkouteren, RM, Jones, GA. 1994. Comparative study of Fe-C bead and graphite target performance with the National Ocean Science AMS (NOSAMS) facility recombinator ion source. Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research B 92(1–4):166–71.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
LeClercq, M, van der Plicht, J, Gröning, M. 1998. New 14C reference materials with activities of 15 and 50 pMC. Radiocarbon 40(1):295–7.Google Scholar
Meijer, HAJ, Pertuisot, MH, van der Plicht, J. 2006. High-accuracy 14C measurements for atmospheric CO2 samples by AMS. Radiocarbon 48(3):355–72.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mook, WG, Streurman, HJ. 1983. Physical and chemical aspects of radiocarbon dating. PACT 8:31–55.Google Scholar
Mook, WG, van der Plicht, J. 1999. Reporting 14C activities and concentrations. Radiocarbon 41(3):227–39.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Olsson, IU. 1989. The 14C method—its possibilities and some pitfalls. PACT 24:161–77.Google Scholar
Santos, GM, Southon, JR, Griffin, S, Beaupre, SR, Druffel, ERM. 2007. Ultra small-mass AMS 14C sample preparation and analyses at KCCAMS/UCI Facility. Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research B 259(1):293–302.Google Scholar
Schneider, RJ, Kim, S-W, von Reden, KF, Hayes, JM, Wills, JSC, Griffin, VS, Sessions, AL, Sylva, S. 2004. A gas ion source for continuous-flow AMS. Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research B 223–224: 149–54.Google Scholar
Scott, EM, Bryant, C, Cook, GT, Naysmith, P. 2003. Is there a Fifth International Radiocarbon Intercomparison (VIRI)? Radiocarbon 45(3):493–5.Google Scholar
Uhl, T, Kretschmer, W, Luppold, W, Scharf, A. 2005. AMS measurements from microgram to milligram. Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research B 240(1–2):474–7.Google Scholar
van de Wal, RSW, van Roijen, JJ, Raynaud, D, van der Borg, K, de Jong, AFM, Oerlemans, J, Lipenkov, V, Huybrechts, P. 1994. From 14C/12C measurements towards radiocarbon dating of ice. Tellus B 46(2):94–102.Google Scholar
van de Wal, RSW, Meijer, HAJ, de Rooij, M, van der Veen, C. 2007. Radiocarbon analyses along the EDML ice core in Antarctica. Tellus B 59(1):157–65.Google Scholar
van der Plicht, J, Wijma, S, Aerts, AT, Pertuisot, MH, Meijer, HAJ. 2000. Status report: the Groningen AMS facility. Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research B 172(1–4):58–65.Google Scholar
van der Plicht, J, van der Sanden, WAB, Aerts, AT, Streurman, HJ. 2004. Dating bog bodies by means of 14C-AMS. Journal of Archaeological Science 31():471–91.Google Scholar
van Geel, B, van der Plicht, J, Kilian, MR, Klaver, ER, Kouwenberg, JHM, Renssen, H, Reynaud-Farrera, I, Water-bolk, HT. 1998. The sharp rise of Δ14C ca. 800 cal BC: possible causes, related climatic teleconnections and the impact on human environments. Radiocarbon 40(1):535–50.Google Scholar
von Reden, KF, McNichol, AP, Pearson, A, Schneider, RJ. 1998. 14C AMS measurements of <100 μg samples with a high-current system. Radiocarbon 40(1):247–53.Google Scholar