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Stepped-combustion 14C dating of sediment: A comparison with established techniques

January 1, 2001

Radiocarbon dating of bulk sediment has long been used as a method of last resort when reliable wood, charcoal, or plant macrofossils are not available for analysis. Accurate dating of sediment is complicated by the presence of multiple organic carbon fractions, each with a potentially different 14C activity. Additionally, the presence of carbon bound by clay minerals can significantly reduce the accuracy of a sediment age determination, with the oldest 14C ages seen in samples with the highest clay content (Scharpenseel and Becker-Heidmann 1992).

Publication Year 2001
Title Stepped-combustion 14C dating of sediment: A comparison with established techniques
DOI 10.1017/S003382220003808X
Authors J. McGeehin, G. S. Burr, A.J.T. Juli, D. Reines, J. Gosse, P.T. Davis, D. Muhs, J. R. Southon
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Radiocarbon
Index ID 70023429
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse