A protocol for radiocarbon dating tropical subfossil cave guano

Wurster, C.M., Bird, M.I., Bull, I., Bryant, C. and Ascough, P.L. (2009) A protocol for radiocarbon dating tropical subfossil cave guano. Radiocarbon, 51(3), pp. 977-986.

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Abstract

We present accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) radiocarbon dates on several organic fractions isolated from tropical guano deposits recovered from insular Southeast Asia. Differences were observed between 14C measurements made on bulk guano as well as bulk lipids, the saturated hydrocarbon fraction, solvent-extracted guano, and insect cuticles extracted from the same bulk sample. We infer that 14C dates from the bulk lipid fraction and saturated hydrocarbon fractions can be variably contaminated by exogenous carbon. In contrast, 14C measurements on solvent-extracted guano and isolated insect cuticles appear to yield the most robust age determinations.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Ascough, Dr Philippa and Bryant, Dr Charlotte
Authors: Wurster, C.M., Bird, M.I., Bull, I., Bryant, C., and Ascough, P.L.
Subjects:Q Science > QE Geology
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre
Journal Name:Radiocarbon
Publisher:University of Arizona
ISSN:0033-8222

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