Isotopic Fractionation of Norwegian Materials for Radiocarbon Dating

• Published in: Radiocarbon
• Main Author: Gulliksen, Steinar
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1980
• Subjects: General Earth and Planetary Sciences; Archeology; Svalbard; Norway
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0033822200010407; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0033822200010407

To improve reporting of radiocarbon dates, Stuiver and Polach (1977) recommend that reported standard errors should include the error in the applied δ 13 C value, and suggest estimated mean values for δ 13 C to be applied when not measured. Based on δ 13 C data for ca 250 samples measured during 1975-1979, mean values for different materials dated by the Trondheim radiocarbon laboratory have been compiled. All material is from Norway and Svalbard (marine bone collagen). For peat, gyttja, and terrestrial bone material, δ 13 C should be measured to obtain optimal precision in the dates. For shell, wood, charcoal, and marine bones, the standard error in an estimated δ 13 C value will only increase uncertainty of a date from ±50 years to ca ±55 years.