SIMPLE SOIL AND WATER DATING BY MEASURING 14C- OR TRITIUM CONCENTRATION

Absolute age determinations of soil and water samples by measuring natural radiocarbon and tritium radioactivity has become increasingly important and popular. Most of the interested researchers are still reluctant, feeling that procurement of the required technical means might be too expensive. Also, for the beginner, the details of technical knowledge which have to be learned, appear all too numerous. The following work deals with an approach to natural radiocarbon and tritium measurements in soil and water for dating purposes. The only expensive equipment required is a commercial liquid scintillation spectrometer, which is available in many laboratories for general isotope studies. For preparation of the benzene-counting sample a simple, but very efficient vacuum line is used. Beginning with sample preparation, the whole process is described in detail, leading on to production of benzene samples, activity measurement and evaluation and to age calculation. Also the best sources of supply are indicated, in order to facilitate the initial organisation, at the same time helping to minimize the already very moderate costs of operation. © 1969.