Humics - their history in the radiocarbon inter-comparisons studies

Naysmith, P. , Scott, E. M. , Dunbar, E. and Cook, G. T. (2019) Humics - their history in the radiocarbon inter-comparisons studies. Radiocarbon, 61(5), pp. 1413-1422. (doi: 10.1017/RDC.2019.11)

Abstract

Over the past 30 years, the format of the radiocarbon (14C) intercomparison studies has changed, however, the selection of sample types used in these studies has remained constant—namely, natural and routinely dated materials that could subsequently be used as in-house reference materials. One such material is peat which has been used 12 times, starting with the ICS in 1988. Peat from Iceland (TIRI), Ellanmore (TIRI), Letham Moss (ICS, VIRI, and SIRI), and St Bees, UK (FIRI and VIRI) have been used, as well as a near-background peat from Siberia. In the main, these peat samples have been provided as the humic acid fraction, with the main advantage being that the humic acid is extracted in solution and then precipitated (the solution phase providing the homogenisation) which is a key requirement for a reference material. In this paper, we will revisit the peat results and explore their findings. In addition, for the last 8 years, the Letham Moss sample has been used in the SUERC 14C laboratory as an in-house standard or reference material. This has resulted in several thousand measurements. Such a rich data set is explored to illustrate the benefits arising from the intercomparison program.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: The extensive programmes of work have been funded from a number of sources including UK research councils (EPSRC and NERC), EU (FP4), NATO, Historic England and Historic Environment Scotland.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Cook, Professor Gordon and Scott, Professor Marian and Naysmith, Mr Phillip and Dunbar, Dr Elaine
• Authors: Naysmith, P., Scott, E. M., Dunbar, E., and Cook, G. T.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Mathematics and Statistics > Statistics; College of Science and Engineering > Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre
• Journal Name: Radiocarbon
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• ISSN: 0033-8222
• ISSN (Online): 1945-5755
• Published Online: 15 April 2019
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2019 Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of the University of Arizona
• First Published: First published in Radiocarbon 61(5): 1413-1422
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher