No.3（2000）14.Simple measurement methods of C-14 contents in natural materials

Shigeru TAKATA, Masaaki SAITO and Junko HASEGAWA

Simple measurement methods of C-14 contents in natural materials are studied. Three methods, 1) measuring by liquid scintillator dissolved sample directly, 2) measuring by liquid scintillator mixed with aqueous solution of sample, 3) measuring by liquid scintillator dissolved bicarbonate produced from sample by combustion, are examined. As a result, the first and second methods have merit of simple handling, but have faults of application to limited samples and variable accuracy of C-14 contents for each sample. The third method is more complex than the others, but has stable accuracy of C-14 contents for many samples. Carbon-14 contents of organic materials excavated from relics are measured by the third method and the ages of the materials are estimated by the C-14 contents.

Keywords
natural radioactive materials, carbon 14, simple measurement, liquid scintillation counter

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