14C Measurement of samples for environmental science applications at the National Environmental Isotope Facility (NEIF) Radiocarbon Laboratory, SUERC, UK

Ascough, P. , Bompard, N., Garnett, M.H. , Gulliver, P. , Murray, C. , Newton, J.-A. and Taylor, C. (2024) 14C Measurement of samples for environmental science applications at the National Environmental Isotope Facility (NEIF) Radiocarbon Laboratory, SUERC, UK. Radiocarbon, (doi: 10.1017/RDC.2024.9) (Early Online Publication)

Abstract

The National Environmental Isotope Facility (NEIF) Radiocarbon Laboratory at the Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre (SUERC) performs radiocarbon measurement of a wide range of sample matrices for applications in environmental research. Radiocarbon is applied to palaeoenvironmental, palaeoceanographic, and palaeoclimatic investigations, as well as work to understand the source, fate, turnover, and age of carbon in the modern carbon cycle. The NEIF Radiocarbon Laboratory supports users in the development and deployment of novel sampling techniques and laboratory approaches. Here, we give an overview of methods and procedures used by the laboratory to support the field collection, laboratory processing, and measurement of samples. This includes in-house development of novel and/or specialized methods and approaches, such as field collection of CO2 and CH4, hydropyrolysis, and ramped oxidation. The sample types covered include organic remains (e.g., plant material, peat, wood, charcoal, proteins), carbonates (e.g., speleothems, foraminifera, mollusc shell, travertine), waters (dissolved organic and inorganic carbon), gases (CO2 and CH4), soils and sediments (including sub-fractions).

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: We acknowledge support from NERC via the National Environmental Isotope Facility (NEIF) grant funding (NE/S011587/1). Selected Papers from the 24th Radiocarbon and 10th Radiocarbon & Archaeology International Conferences, Zurich, Switzerland, 11–16 Sept. 2022.
• Status: Early Online Publication
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Murray, Mr Callum and Garnett, Dr Mark and Taylor, Mr Chris and Ascough, Dr Philippa and Newton, Dr Josanne and Bompard, Dr Nicolas and Gulliver, Dr Pauline
• Authors: Ascough, P., Bompard, N., Garnett, M.H., Gulliver, P., Murray, C., Newton, J.-A., and Taylor, C.
• 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: 14 February 2024