Discussion: Reporting and calibration of post-bomb 14C data

Journal Article · Mon Oct 11 04:00:00 EDT 2004 · Radiocarbon

OSTI ID:15011616

Reimer, P J; Brown, T A; Reimer, R W

The definitive paper by Stuiver and Polach (1977) established the conventions for reporting of {sup 14}C data for chronological and geophysical studies based on the radioactive decay of {sup 14}C in the sample since the year of sample death or formation. Several ways of reporting {sup 14}C activity levels relative to a standard were also established, but no specific instructions were given for reporting nuclear weapons testing (post-bomb) {sup 14}C levels in samples. Because the use of post-bomb {sup 14}C is becoming more prevalent in forensics, biology, and geosciences, a convention needs to be adopted. We advocate the use of fraction modern with a new symbol F{sup 14}C to prevent confusion with the previously used Fm, which may or may not have been fractionation corrected. We also discuss the calibration of post-bomb {sup 14}C samples and the available datasets and compilations, but do not give a recommendation for a particular dataset.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 15011616
• Report Number(s): UCRL-JRNL-207168
• Journal Information: Radiocarbon, Journal Name: Radiocarbon Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 46
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
58 GEOSCIENCES
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
ACTIVITY LEVELS
BIOLOGY
CALIBRATION
DEATH
DECAY
FRACTIONATION
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
RECOMMENDATIONS
TESTING