Preparation of water samples for carbon-14 dating

Circular 480
By:  and 

Links

Abstract

For most natural water, a large sample is required to provide the 3 grams of carbon needed for a carbon-14 determination. A field procedure for isolating total dissolved-carbonate species is described. Carbon dioxide gas is evolved by adding sulfuric acid to the water sample; the gas is then collected in a sodium hydroxide trap by recycling in a closed system. The trap is then transported to the dating laboratory where the carbon-14 is counted.
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Preparation of water samples for carbon-14 dating
Series title Circular
Series number 480
DOI 10.3133/cir480
Edition -
Year Published 1963
Language ENGLISH
Publisher United States Geological Survey,
Description iii, 3 p. :ill. ;27 cm.
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details