scholarly journals Radiocarbon Sample Preparation at the Circe AMS Laboratory in Caserta, Italy

Radiocarbon ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 225-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabella Passariello ◽  
Fabio Marzaioli ◽  
Carmine Lubritto ◽  
Mauro Rubino ◽  
Antonio D'Onofrio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Sample Preparation ◽  
Accelerator Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Isotope Fractionation ◽  
Background Levels

A system with several lines for the preparation of graphite targets for radiocarbon analysis has been built at the new accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) facility in Caserta, Italy. Special attention has been paid in the design to the reduction of background contamination during sample preparation. Here, we describe the main characteristics of these preparation lines. Results of tests performed to measure 14C background levels and isotope fractionation in several blank samples with the Caserta AMS system are presented and discussed.

RADIOCARBON IN MEXICO: FROM PROPORTIONAL COUNTERS TO AMS

Radiocarbon ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Corina Solís ◽  
Efraín Chávez ◽  
Arcadio Huerta ◽  
María Esther Ortiz ◽  
Alberto Alcántara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Sample Preparation ◽  
High Voltage ◽  
Accelerator Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Science And Technology ◽  
National Council ◽  
University Of Arizona ◽  
Technological Developments ◽  
High Voltage Engineering ◽  
The University

ABSTRACT Augusto Moreno is credited with establishing the first radiocarbon (14C) laboratory in Mexico in the 1950s, however, 14C measurement with the accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) technique was not achieved in our country until 2003. Douglas Donahue from the University of Arizona, a pioneer in using AMS for 14C dating, participated in that experiment; then, the idea of establishing a 14C AMS laboratory evolved into a feasible project. This was finally reached in 2013, thanks to the technological developments in AMS and sample preparation with automated equipment, and the backing and support of the National Autonomous University of Mexico and the National Council for Science and Technology. The Mexican AMS Laboratory, LEMA, with a compact 1 MV system from High Voltage Engineering Europa, and its sample preparation laboratories with IonPlus automated graphitization equipment, is now a reality.

Misunderstandings Concerning the Significance of AMS Background 14C Measurements

Radiocarbon ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 727-749
Author(s):  
R E Taylor ◽  
John R Southon ◽  
Guaciara M Santos
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Accelerator Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Time Scale ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
General Validity ◽  
General Audience ◽  
Background Levels ◽  
Age Determinations

ABSTRACTWe consider one misconception of those who currently reject the general validity of radiocarbon (14C) age determinations older than, at most, 10,000 BP. There is an allegation that the presence of 14C reported by accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) laboratories in their measurements of 14C infinite age (>100,000 years) organics used to define background levels, support their point of view. This article has been written for a general audience, primarily for those who have questions about the validity of these arguments. However, they may not be familiar with the literature relevant to providing a clear response to the claims of these individuals. We conclude that, in our view, of all of the possible explanations for the reports of the presence of 14C in these background samples, the least probable explanation has been advanced by those rejecting the validity of the 14C time scale in excess of, at most, 10,000 BP.

scholarly journals Dating Organic Temper of Ceramics By Ams: Sample Preparation and Carbon Evaluation

Radiocarbon ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 315-320 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denise C Gomes ◽  
Oscar Vega
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Sample Preparation ◽  
Accelerator Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Total Carbon ◽  
Archaeological Ceramics ◽  
Brazilian Amazonia ◽  
Ceramic Samples

We describe a new methodology for separating organic temper from archaeological ceramics from Brazilian Amazonia. These experimental procedures were designed to directly date ceramic samples by accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS). An evaluation of the total carbon indicates the samples’ potential for dating.

scholarly journals Status Report on Sample Preparation Protocols Developed at the LMC14 Laboratory, Saclay, France: From Sample Collection to 14C AMS Measurement

Radiocarbon ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 713-726 ◽  
Author(s):  
J-P Dumoulin ◽  
C Comby-Zerbino ◽  
E Delqué-Količ ◽  
C Moreau ◽  
I Caffy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Sample Preparation ◽  
Accelerator Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Storage Time ◽  
Status Report ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Laboratory Sample ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Chemical Pretreatments ◽  
Sampling Procedures

AbstractThe main objective of this report is to present the dating process routinely applied to different types of samples at the Laboratoire de Mesure du Carbone 14 (LMC14). All the results and protocols refer to our procedures over the last 5 years. A description of the sorting and chemical pretreatments of the samples as well as the extraction and graphitization of CO2 are reported. Our last study concerning the degradation of the blank level according to the storage time of the targets between graphitization and accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) measurement is also presented. This article also provides information on how to submit a valid laboratory sample. We give details relating to sampling procedures on site as well as contamination issues relative to the 14C dating methodology.

scholarly journals Progress in Radiocarbon Target Preparation at the Antares AMS Centre

Radiocarbon ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 43 (2A) ◽  
pp. 275-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Q Hua ◽  
G E Jacobsen ◽  
U Zoppi ◽  
E M Lawson ◽  
A A Williams ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Sample Preparation ◽  
Accelerator Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Sample Pretreatment ◽  
Small Samples ◽  
Sample Processing ◽  
Target Preparation ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Technical Details ◽  
Fe Reduction

We present routine methods of target preparation for radiocarbon analysis at the ANTARES Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) Centre, as well as recent developments which have decreased our procedural blank level and improved our ability to process small samples containing less than 200 μg of carbon. Routine methods of 14C sample preparation include sample pretreatment, CO2 extraction (combustion, hydrolysis and water stripping) and conversion to graphite (graphitization). A new method of cleaning glassware and reagents used in sample processing, by baking them under a stream of oxygen, is described. The results show significant improvements in our procedural blanks. In addition, a new graphitization system dedicated to small samples, using H2/Fe reduction of CO2, has been commissioned. The technical details of this system, the graphite yield and the level of fractionation of the targets are discussed.

ESTABLISHING WATER SAMPLE PROTOCOLS FOR RADIOCARBON ANALYSIS AT LAC-UFF, BRAZIL

Radiocarbon ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Daniela Bragança ◽  
Fabiana Oliveira ◽  
Kita Macario ◽  
Vinicius Nunes ◽  
Marcelo Muniz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Latin America ◽  
Sample Preparation ◽  
Water Sample ◽  
Accelerator Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Surface Seawater ◽  
Environmental Matrices ◽  
Preliminary Results ◽  
Mass Spectrometry Facility ◽  
Validation Tests

ABSTRACT Since the establishment of the first radiocarbon accelerator mass spectrometry facility in Latin America in 2009, the Radiocarbon Laboratory team of Universidade Federal Fluminense (LAC-UFF) has worked to improve sample preparation protocols and increase the range of environmental matrices to be analyzed. We now present the preliminary results for DIC sample preparation protocols. The first validation tests include background evaluation with pMC value (0.35 ± 0.04) using bicarbonate dissolved in water. We also analyzed surface seawater resulting in pMC value (101.38 ± 0.38) and a groundwater previously dated from LEMA AMS-Laboratory with pMC value (12.30 ± 0.15).

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