14C contamination testing in natural abundance laboratories: a new preparation method using wet chemical oxidation and some experiences

Mcintyre, C. P. , Lechleitner, F., Lang, S. Q., Haghiour, N., Fahrni, S., Wacker, L. and Synal, H.-A. (2016) 14C contamination testing in natural abundance laboratories: a new preparation method using wet chemical oxidation and some experiences. Radiocarbon, 58(4), pp. 935-941. (doi: 10.1017/RDC.2016.78)

Abstract

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 14C 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 14C 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.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Mcintyre, Dr Cameron
• Authors: Mcintyre, C. P., Lechleitner, F., Lang, S. Q., Haghiour, N., Fahrni, S., Wacker, L., and Synal, H.-A.
• College/School: 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: 24 October 2016
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2016 Cambridge University Press
• First Published: First published in Radiocarbon 58(4):935-941
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher