C Contamination Testing in Natural Abundance Laboratories

A New Preparation Method Using Wet Chemical Oxidation and Some Experiences

Bibliographic Data

ID9243838
AuthorsCameron P McIntyre (0000-0001-8517-9836), Franziska Lechleitner, Susan Q Lang, Negar Haghiour, Simon Fahrni, Lukas Wacker (0000-0002-8215-2678), Hans‐arno Synal (0000-0001-5621-3089), Hans-Arno Synal
Year2016
Volume58
Issue4
Pages935-941
Publication date2016-12-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueRadiocarbon (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0033-8222 • E-ISSN: 1945-5755
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/rdc.2016.78
OpenAlexW2535415494
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited7

Substances enriched with radiocarbon can easily contaminate samples and laboratories used for natural abundance measurements. We have developed a new method using wet chemical oxidation for swabbing laboratories and equipment to test for 14 C contamination. Here, we report the findings of 18 months’ work and more than 800 tests covering studies at multiple locations. Evidence of past and current use of enriched 14 C was found at all but one location and a program of testing and communication was used to mitigate its effects. Remediation was attempted with mixed success and depended on the complexity and level of the contamination. We describe four cases from different situations

Archaeology · Biology · Contamination · Environmental remediation · Geography · Radiocarbon dating · Chemistry · Environmental Science · Radiation Detection and Scintillator Technologies · Radioactive contamination and transfer · Radioactivity and Radon Measurements · Ecology · Environmental Chemistry