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Accurate Dating of Organic Deposits by AMS 14C Measurement of Macrofossils

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 July 2016

Torbjörn E. Törnqvist ,
Arie F. M. de Jong ,
Wilma A. Oosterbaan  and
Klaas Van Der Borg
Torbjörn E. Törnqvist
Affiliation:
Department of Physical Geography/Laboratory of Palaeobotany and Palynology, University of Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 2, NL-3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
Arie F. M. de Jong
Affiliation:
Robert J. van de Graaff Laboratorium, Rijksuniversiteit Utrecht, P. O. Box 80000, NL-3508 TA Utrecht, The Netherlands
Wilma A. Oosterbaan
Affiliation:
Robert J. van de Graaff Laboratorium, Rijksuniversiteit Utrecht, P. O. Box 80000, NL-3508 TA Utrecht, The Netherlands
Klaas Van Der Borg
Affiliation:
Robert J. van de Graaff Laboratorium, Rijksuniversiteit Utrecht, P. O. Box 80000, NL-3508 TA Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Abstract

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We made a comparative study of AMS 14C ages of organic deposits (minerotrophic peats and gyttjas) and macrofossils in order to evaluate the magnitude of a number of sources of error that may be present in bulk sediment samples. The consistency of 14C ages found for coexisting macrofossils suggests that they are unlikely to record disturbances. Some of our gyttja samples yielded an age 0.2–0.6 ka 14C years too old due to hardwater effect. We also found an aging effect in several bulk samples with a high admixture of siliciclastic material; this is attributed to fluvial input of reworked, older organic debris. Rejuvenation of bulk material as a result of root contamination occurs mainly in samples overlain by slowly accumulated deposits, and particularly in samples affected by (sub)recent roots.

Type
II. Applied Isotope Geochemistry
Information
Radiocarbon , Volume 34 , Issue 3: Proceedings of the 14th International Radiocarbon Conference , 1992 , pp. 566 - 577
Copyright
Copyright © The American Journal of Science 

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