Preliminary results from the Glasgow International Radiocarbon Intercomparison (GIRI)

Scott, E. M. , Naysmith, P. and Dunbar, E. (2023) Preliminary results from the Glasgow International Radiocarbon Intercomparison (GIRI). Radiocarbon, (doi: 10.1017/RDC.2023.64) (Early Online Publication)

Abstract

GIRI (Glasgow International Radiocarbon Intercomparison) was designed to meet a number of objectives, including to provide an independent assessment of the analytical quality of the laboratory/measurement and an opportunity for a laboratory to participate and improve (if needed). The principles in the design of GIRI were to provide the following: (a) a series of unrelated individual samples, spanning the dating age range, (b) linked samples to earlier intercomparisons to allow traceability, (c) known age samples, to allow independent accuracy checks, (d) a small number of duplicates, to allow independent estimation of laboratory uncertainty, and (e) two categories of samples—bulk and individual—to support laboratory investigation of variability. All of the GIRI samples are natural (wood, peat, and grain), some are known age, and overall their age spans approx. >40,000 years BP to modern. The complete list of sample materials includes humic acid, whalebone, grain, single ring dendro-dated samples, dendro-dated wood samples spanning a number of rings (e.g., 10 rings), background and near background samples of bone and wood. We present an overview of the results received and preliminary consensus values for the samples supporting a more in-depth evaluation of laboratory performance and variability.

• Item Type: Articles
• Keywords: Intercomparison, accuracy, consensus.
• Status: Early Online Publication
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Naysmith, Mr Phillip and Scott, Professor Marian and Dunbar, Dr Elaine
• Authors: Scott, E. M., Naysmith, P., and Dunbar, E.
• 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: 14 August 2023
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2023 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Radiocarbon 2023
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher