Sample processing

In the 14C laboratory at the AWI, samples from various materials can be analyzed by accelerator mass spectrometry with the MICADAS system. These include, but are not limited to:

  1. Samples of organic material
    a. TOC (total organic carbon) in sediments
    b. Peats

    c. Plant material and wood
    d. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC)

    e. Particulate organic carbon (POC) on glass fiber filters

    f. Organic single compounds

  2. Samples of carbonate
    a. Microfossils (foraminifera)

    b. Shellfish

    c. Coral

Depending on the sample composition, different treatment methods are used:

  1. Removal of inorganic carbon by acid treatment or fumigation
  2. Acid-base-acid treatment
  3. Surface cleaning with acid or water in an ultrasonic bath

Depending on the sample size, the measurements are made as graphite target (> 200 μg C) or CO2 gas (20-100 μgC).