Detection of /sup 14/C in natural trace organics recovered from groundwater

Conference · Fri Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1985 · Trans. Am. Nucl. Soc.; (United States)

OSTI ID:7108926

Murphy, E; Long, A; Davis, S N; Donahue, D

Radiocarbon measurements on dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in groundwater have given the authors insight into chemical and hydrological processes occurring in aquifers. Carbon-14 analyses on various dissolved organic carbon (DOC) fractions from groundwater are only starting, but, as is true for DIC /sup 14/C measurements, their significance reaches beyond dating of water and into chemical processes in the aquifer and recharge zone. When combined with information on the chemical character of the DOC, /sup 14/C data may clarify the origin and diagenesis of organic carbon in groundwater. In the past, research into the /sup 14/C has been discouraged by the low concentrations of DOC in groundwater, typically in the ..mu..g/l range. The tandem accelerator at the University of Arizona can analyze /sup 14/C in as little as 1 mg of carbon, thus requiring isolation of the DOC from 200 l or less of groundwater. This paper describes the techniques bring used for separation of the DOC in groundwater, some of the data collected, and the significance of these data.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Arizona, Tucson
• OSTI ID: 7108926
• Report Number(s): CONF-851115-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Trans. Am. Nucl. Soc.; (United States) Journal Volume: 50
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

520300* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport-- (1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
58 GEOSCIENCES
580100 -- Geology & Hydrology-- (-1989)
ACCELERATORS
ADSORPTION
AQUIFERS
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
CARBON 14
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON ISOTOPES
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CHROMATOGRAPHY
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
GROUND WATER
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROLOGY
ISOTOPES
LIGHT NUCLEI
NUCLEI
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
QUANTITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
RADIOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS
RADIOISOTOPES
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SORPTION
TRACE AMOUNTS
WATER
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES