The isotopic composition of oxygen in freshwater calcareous tufa seems to be a sensitive indicator of past climatic changes. Results of measurements of δc18O and δc13C in tufa samples dated with the 14C method are used to reconstruct Holocene climatic changes in southern Poland. Values of δc18O obtained on tufa samples from four sites (Raclawka, Rzerzuŝnia, Trzebienice, Sieradowice) representing different hydrodynamic conditions of tufa sedimentation seem to form a selfconsistent series. These values, with some simplifying assumptions concerning the course of tufa sedimentation, were therefore used to estimate mean annual temperatures in the interval ca. 9500-2000 yr B.P. When the resulting curve of thermal changes in southern Poland is compared with changes of deposition and erosion of tuffaceous sediments and with results of other methods of reconstruction of paleoclimate in central Europe, a reasonable agreement among the different specific methods is seen.

We present here the principal ideas of a new, fully computerized data acquisition system with pulse-rise background reduction, developed in the Gliwice Radiocarbon Laboratory, and our first results. The new system uses a microprocessor-controlled pulse and coincidence analyzer for acquisition of data from 3 of 4 proportional counter sets. The analyzer acquires and stores information on the pulse's amplitudes and rise-times and their coincidence with guard counters and radio-frequency shield. This feature allows us to separate pulses using anticoincidence information and pulse-shape discrimination. The described method of background reduction led to a significant increase in the factor of merit on 2 of 3 counters tested.

We compared 14C levels in annual growth rings of pine trees around the Tomsk nuclear fuel reprocessing plant (NFRP) and the Chernobyl nuclear power plant (NPP). At the Chernobyl site, samples were taken from the control area (within a 30-km radius zone around the site) to a distance of 80 km. In Tomsk, we collected samples between 8–10 km and 10–15 km from the site, taking into account prevailing wind directions. Background samples were collected 200 km from the plant. Samples were converted to benzene and counted in an ultra-low-level LSC Quantulus 1220™. Because of the Chernobyl accident, a signal can be detected in the background of routine plant operation. Comparison with the Tomsk data suggests that the routine discharges from Tomsk are more significant than the discharge from the Chernobyl accident. We estimated Tomsk NFRP annual discharge level at up to 30–45 TBq 14C from 1985 to 1988.

We established a database of 14C dates from archaeological sites of the Central Andes region of Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia on an IBM PC-compatible microcomputer running on an MS-DOS operating system using software package dBASE IV, version 1.1. Relevant data are stored in three DBF-type database files. The file ANDY.DBF contains information on dates and samples; REFERENC.DBF contains references to relevant publications and CALAND.DBF contains calibrated dates. The total number of records of the ANDY database slightly exceeds 2650.

We report preliminary results of a long-term systematic study intended to gather paleoclimatic records from precisely dated speleothems. The research project is limited to speleothems deposited in caves of the Cracow-Wieluń Upland, the largest and best-explored karst region in Poland, covering ca. 2900 km2 with >1000 caves. Speleothem samples were selected from collections of the Geological Museum of the Academy of Mining and Metallurgy in Cracow. Radiocarbon dates of these samples from ca. 45–20 ka bp almost exactly coincide with age range of the Interplenivistulian. A break in speleothem formation between ca. 20 and 10 ka bp may be interpreted as a result of serious climatic deterioration associated with the maximum extent of the last glaciation. We observed differences among 14C, U/Th and AAR dating results. Changes of δ13C and δ18O in speleothems that grew between ca. 30 and 20 ka bp may be interpreted as changes of paleoclimatic conditions.

Paleokarst forms in raised beach deposits of Southwest England and South Wales and generally known as “pipes” were dated by 14C and thermoluminescence (TL) methods. Current geological opinion is that these pipes are features that developed under the cover of periglacial-solifluctional deposits due to periglacial conditions prevalent in the Late Devensian. In the present study, TL was used to determine the age of quartz grains forming the raised beaches. 14C ages were obtained from carbonate cements within sandrock and on the pipe walls. TL ages measured for quartz grains separated from sandrock samples are older than 80 ka bp, whereas the corresponding TL dates obtained from the sandy material of pipe infills center around 40 ka bp. All carbonates yielded finite apparent 14C dates that range from ca. 45 ka bp to 27 ka bp for sandrock. The apparent 14C dates obtained on carbonate cements from the pipe walls fall into two groups, one ranging from 30 ka bp to 22 ka bp and the other from 15 ka bp to 7 ka bp. On the basis of geochemical considerations, we conclude that the sandrock cements formed between 35 and 25 ka bp and pipe walls cemented between 30 and 2 ka bp with a break during the climate deterioration caused by last ice sheet advance.

Determined independently from annually laminated ice cores and lake sediments, and German pines, the calendar ages of Younger Dryas (YD) boundaries significantly disagree with one another. 14C dates, plotted vs. calendar ages for samples from different sediments, also reveal distinct offsets. The adjustment of varve chronologies to synchronize the boundaries of the YD nearly cancels the discrepancies between 14C data, and supports the synchronism of the YD cold period over the North Atlantic region. However, the exact timing of the event cannot be estimated in this way.

The following list presents results of dating archaeological samples from excavations in Africa. Most results reported in this list were obtained from 1982 to 1993 for international research projects studying the origin and early development of food-producing cultures in northeastern Africa, including the Nile basin and the Sahara. Detailed information on these projects may be found in the series of conference proceedings edited by Krzyżaniak and Kobusiewicz (1984, 1989, 1993).

The following list presents results of dating archaeological samples from Poland processed between 1979 and 1985. Three carbon dioxide-filled proportional counters (L1, L2 and L3) of different sizes were used for dating (Pazdur et al. 1982). Procedures for sample pretreatment, counting, statistical analysis and age calculations were essentially the same as previously described (Pazdur et al. 1982, 1985). All results are reported as conventional 14C dates in years before ad 1950. Unless explicitly stated, the results are not corrected for isotopic fractionation.

Laminated sediments of Gościaż Lake can be used as an independent source of material for calibrating the radiocarbon time scale. The varve chronology is based on three long cores from the deepest part of the lake, with one additional core from the second deepest part. From pollen and Cladocera spectra and stable isotope and chemical content sequences, we have determined the Allerød(AL)/Younger Dryas(YD) and Younger Dryas/Preboreal(PB) boundaries in the three long cores with relatively good accuracy, and have tentatively defined the AL/YD boundary in the fourth core. The Younger Dryas period contains at least 1520 varves, with 980 varves in fragments well replicated in all four cores. The duration of the Younger Dryas as recorded in sediments of Gościaż Lake corresponds well to the duration derived from 230Th/234U and 14C dates on Barbados corals, but disagrees with estimates from Soppensee, Lake Holzmaar and Swedish varves. Two AMS dates of terrestrial macrofossils from the PB and YD periods seem to fit both the data obtained for Swiss lake sediments and Barbados corals.

Systematic studies on 14C dating of tufa profiles in southern Poland have resulted in developing a simple phenomenological model which enables us to estimate the reservoir correction factor of 14C dates of individual carbonate samples. We made further studies to test model assumptions and to verify relationships between the value of reservoir correction factor TR and 13C content of tufa carbonate. Two new study sites, Rudawa and Szklarka, are close to previously studied sites. Four tufa samples with associated organic fraction from ca 2000m asl in South America (Peruvian Andes) were measured to test the possible application of the developed model to tufas in different geochemical and climatic environments. Finally, a series of calcareous tufa samples from the Villers-devant-Orval profile (Belgium) were dated, although no direct comparison with organic matter dates is available for this profile.

Results of the International Collaborative Study show an unexpectedly large scatter of individual dates as well as systematic biases. Very high values of linear correlation coefficients are observed for all results of Stage 2 and for benzene samples of Stage 1. We observed moderate correlations for carbonate samples and the lowest for natural samples of wood and peat of Stage 3. The correlation is practically negligible among results obtained in different stages. The probable reasons for such effects are seen in medium-term changes in the calibration of the counting systems.

A sequence of annually laminated sediments of the Gościαz Lake spans ca 13,000 yr and is actually the longest known continuous sequence in the world. 14C age measurements were performed on organic and carbonate fractions of bulk samples of laminated sediments from core GO. Accurate measurements of varve thickness performed on the lower part of cores G1 and G2 were used to establish a floating varve chronology covering ca 10,000 yr. Matching of cores GO, G1 and G2 permits comparison of 14C dates with varve chronology. Good agreement of calibrated 14C dates with the varve time scale suggests annual lamination of the sediment. Analysis of periodicities in varve thickness indicates solar 11-and 22-yr cycles, as well as a 200-yr cycle over a good part of the investigated sequence. Results of 14C measurements of carbonate fractions are used to study changes in the water depth of the lake during its history.

Thirty-one samples of 5 tree rings from a single oak trunk with 300 tree rings were measured with improved precision to study natural 14C variations in the period from ca 9750 – 10,050 cal bp. Negative correlation was found between Δ 14C values and tree-ring indices. The pattern of 14C changes in the studied interval closely resembles the changes observed in several periodically spanned intervals within the limits of high-precision calibration data sets.

A set of computer procedures for probabilistic calibration of 14C dates was developed at the Gliwice Radiocarbon Laboratory for the IBM PC compatible microcomputer. The program comprises three main options: 1) calibration of a single 14C date, 2) calibration of a set of arbitrary dates, 3) calibration of a set of related dates. Results of calibration are presented in the form of graphs and numeric data, including tables of selected quantiles and inter-quantile ranges of resulting probability distribution of cal age. In this paper, we present the aims of the program, with a short description of its structure, show examples of working with output data in terms of expected archaeological application, and consider the possibility of standardization of calibration procedures.

Calcareous tufa from five sites in southern Poland, representing several most typical conditions of tufa sedimentation, were chosen for 14C, 13C, and 18O measurements. These tufas were deposited in a high-energy turbulent stream (the Racławka site), in streams with moderate but variable flow (Rzerzuśnia and Trzebienice), and in semilimnic conditions (Sieradowice site). Sediments of the Gliczarów site represent spring travertines. In all but the latter site, direct comparison of 14C dates of carbonate and organic fractions was possible, leading to an estimate of initial apparent age of carbonate sediments. Clear correlation was found between the value of initial apparent age of tufas and the hydrodynamic conditions of sedimentation. Corresponding values range from ca 3900 yr (Racławka) to 910 yr for semilimnic sediments (Sieradowice). Intermediate, almost identical values, equal to 2460 ± 200 yr and 2100 ± 160 yr, were obtained for tufas from Rzerzuśnia and Trzebienice, respectively. Detailed sedimentologic classification of tufaceous deposits is presented and some primary and secondary factors affecting the accuracy of radiocarbon dates of various types of tufas are also discussed.

Preliminary observations of changes of the background of three proportional counters during May and June, 1986, are presented. Some isotopes contributing to the rise of background were identified on the basis of their half-life determinations.

The study of a regional Suess effect is based on three sets of samples of atmospheric CO2: 1) a series of samples collected at the same site in Gliwice from 1980 to 1984, 2) samples collected simultaneously at different sites within the limits of an urban and industrial region of Upper Silesia, and 3) samples collected simultaneously outside this region along an eastern direction. Results of 14C concentration measurements show systematic decrease of Δ14C with the rate close to the corresponding value for clean air. Depletion of 14C concentration was found to be virtually the same in the whole urban area. Analysis of regional synoptic data reveals correlation of individual Δ14C values with wind direction, frequency of calm, and vertical stability of the atmosphere.

An attempt is presented to establish an absolute chronology of early Slavonic habitation in the region of the mouth of the Odra River up to the Baltic and to find associations with a series of stave boats and dugouts of different levels of technology and navigation. The methodology of the research project is presented and some conclusions of a general nature are drawn from the results already obtained.

14C dates of carbonate and organic matter fractions are compared with a series of calcareous tufa samples from selected sites representing different geochemical environments and associated with different bedrocks. Results obtained in this study indicate values of apparent age ranging from 940 ± 110 yr for calcareous tufas associated with Pleistocene sediments to 2000 ± 110 yr and even ca 4000 yr for tufas from sites associated with Jurassic or Cretaceous limestone. It was found also that within each of the investigated sites the value of apparent age does not change significantly with the age of the tufa layer.