Article
Environmental Sciences
A. Malov
Summary: In the Arctic regions, the groundwater in a sandy aquifer studied has primarily atmospheric recharge far from the river and significant contribution of river water in the coastal zone. The groundwater age ranges from 20-25 years in onshore wells, but also contains bomb water and old water before 1952. The distribution of tritium isotopes clarified the conditions of groundwater recharge and the ratios of young water, bomb water, and old water in different parts of the aquifer.
ENVIRONMENTAL EARTH SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Wenjing Fu, Yuanzhi Qi, Chunle Luo, Hongmei Zhang, Xuchen Wang
Summary: Black carbon (BC), a group of environmentally concentrated organic pollutants, is widely distributed in marine sediments. However, the fate and transformation of BC in marine sediments have not been well studied. Through radiocarbon measurements, it was found that there are two distinct BC pools in the sediments, with ancient ages in the solid-phase BC (SBC). The modern biomass-derived BC contributes to most of the dissolved BC (DBC) pool, while fossil material-produced BC forms the majority of the SBC pools. The discrepancy between modern and dead BC contributions is associated with the BC budget after particulate BC (PBC) deposition, where a significant portion of PBC is transferred to porewater as DBC and the rest is sequestrated as SBC in sediments.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Geography, Physical
Joseph M. Young, Alberto Reyes, Duane G. Froese
Summary: In this study, radiocarbon and optically stimulated luminescence dates associated with the Moorhead and Emerson Phases in the Lake Agassiz basin were examined and filtered using statistical methods. The results suggest that the freshwater drainage interpretation during the Moorhead Phase as the trigger for the Younger Dryas cold reversal is not entirely supported by the existing data, and additional high-quality radiocarbon dates are needed to further constrain lake level histories in the basin.
QUATERNARY SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Tamas Varga, Mihaly Molnar, Anita Molnar, A. J. Timothy Jull, Laszlo Palcsu, Elemer Laszlo
Summary: Radiocarbon-based age determination of wine samples is a widely used method, but traditional techniques have high sample size requirements. To address this, we tested a new method using accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) that requires much lower amount of carbon. Our results showed that both the ethanol fraction and distillation residue of wine samples can be used for radiocarbon dating, and the small sample size (around 10 μL) does not significantly affect the wine.
JOURNAL OF FOOD COMPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Entao Liu, I. Tonguc Uysal, Jian-Xin Zhao, Zi'ao Zhang, Xudong Lin
Summary: This study conducted Rb-Sr and 40Ar-39Ar dating of illitic clay samples from Palaeogene sandstone in the northern South China Sea. The Rb-Sr data confirmed three periods of fluid flow events related to episodic tectonism, while the 40Ar-39Ar ages were significantly younger, likely due to 40Ar loss caused by later dry heating events. The inconsistency between the two dating methods suggests different isotopic behaviors of K-Ar and Rb-Sr isotopic systematics in illite.
JOURNAL OF EARTH SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Geography, Physical
Keitaro Yamada, Takayuki Omori, Ikuko Kitaba, Tatsuo Hori, Takeshi Nakagawa
Summary: Fossil pollen grains have long been considered ideal materials for radiocarbon dating, but extracting small fossil grains with sufficient purity from various sediments has proven challenging. A new method has been developed using cell sorter technology, allowing for routine extraction and reliable radiocarbon dating of fossil pollen grains, even from organic-rich sediments. The improved physicochemical pre-treatment and new sorting criteria have enabled efficient separation of small fossil pollen grains from impurities, with results showing good agreement with terrestrial leaf fossils in age determination.
QUATERNARY SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
T. J. Heaton, E. Bard, C. Bronk Ramsey, M. Butzin, C. Hatte, K. A. Hughen, P. Koehler, P. J. Reimer
Summary: The concentrations of radiocarbon (C-14) in the oceans differ from those in the atmosphere. Understanding these differences is important for dating samples from the marine environment and studying the carbon cycle. The Marine20 radiocarbon age calibration curve provides a global surface ocean record of radiocarbon from 55,000-0 cal yr BP, accounting for oceanic response to atmospheric C-14 variations and known changes in palaeoclimatic variables. Marine20 is an improvement over the previous Marine13 curve and includes guidelines for calibration and estimating regional oceanic C-14 variation.
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Toshimichi Nakanishi, Yuichi Niwa, Wan Hong
Summary: This study investigates the relationship between paleoenvironmental changes and marine reservoir effects by comparing the radiocarbon ages of marine shells and terrestrial plants in sediment cores from the Holocene Epoch. Three sediment cores were collected from the active tectonic area of the Japan Trench, located between the warm Kuroshio and cold Oyashio currents. The findings suggest that the paleoenvironmental changes observed were primarily associated with sea level rise during the last deglaciation period, with a range of 2,300 to 9,000 years BP for the relative time difference between terrestrial plants and marine shells.
NUCLEAR INSTRUMENTS & METHODS IN PHYSICS RESEARCH SECTION B-BEAM INTERACTIONS WITH MATERIALS AND ATOMS
(2023)
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Evan Tam, Yusuke Yokoyama, Yukari Miyashita, Yosuke Miyairi, Glenn Milne, Sabrina Lloyd
Summary: Radiocarbon dating of various types of contemporaneous samples revealed significant age differences and changes in offsets within a core have been rarely studied. Previous research has suggested that changes in offsets may indicate disturbances or shifts in the depositional setting. A study of ocean sediment cores near Ube City, Japan showed periods of slower and rapid sedimentation that corresponded to post-Holocene High Stand conditions and sea level fall, and pre-HHS conditions with rising sea levels. The study also emphasized the importance of examining the depositional setting to accurately represent depositional ages.
NUCLEAR INSTRUMENTS & METHODS IN PHYSICS RESEARCH SECTION B-BEAM INTERACTIONS WITH MATERIALS AND ATOMS
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
M. U. Gress, J. M. Koornneef, E. Thomassot, I. L. Chinn, K. van Zuilen, G. R. Davies
Summary: This study employs Sm-Nd isotope systematics to determine the formation ages and geochemical characteristics of diamonds from the Jwaneng mine in Botswana, revealing the complex history of diamond growth in the sub-continental lithospheric mantle. The results show that diamond formation is influenced by geological environments, with regional and local mechanisms playing different roles.
GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA
(2021)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Michelle S. Gauthier
Summary: This study examines freshwater reservoir ages and the potential effect of a freshwater diet in Manitoba, Canada. The understanding of freshwater reservoir effects is crucial for geologists reconstructing postglacial histories of areas as well as for archaeologists relying on C-14 dating to develop cultural histories.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Viktor Golubtsov, Maria Bronnikova, Olga Khokhlova, Anna Cherkashina, Sofiia Turchinskaia
Summary: The study reveals that carbonate coatings in the Baikal region were formed during specific periods corresponding to environmental fluctuations. The formation of coatings is influenced by climatic changes, reflecting the impact of temperature and moisture fluctuations on soil-forming processes. Coatings in different regions were affected by seasonal climate changes.
Article
Soil Science
Olga Khokhlova, Tatyana Myakshina, Alsu Kuznetsova
Summary: The conversion of forest to arable lands resulted in a change of soil water regime followed by the formation of two types of hard nodules. The uplifting of calcite colloidal solutions/suspensions from parent material enriched newly formed hard nodules with old C-14. The seasonal stagnant water in the lowermost soil horizons caused hard nodule recrystallization and rejuvenation by young C-14 from organic acids and atmospheric CO2.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Geology
Vytautas Samalavicius, Jurga Arustiene
Summary: This study used geochemical ages derived from radiocarbon and radiokrypton age calibration to bridge the dating gap (40-150 ka) not covered by the isotope techniques mentioned. A case study of groundwater in the Baltic Artesian Basin was conducted, involving geochemical age calibration, data filtering, and dating of groundwater of unknown age.
Article
Geography, Physical
Robert J. DiNapoli, Scott M. Fitzpatrick, Matthew F. Napolitano, Torben C. Rick, Jessica H. Stone, Nicholas P. Jew
Summary: This study presents 33 new marine reservoir correction values for 22 Caribbean islands, demonstrating high variability in correction values across the region. The research suggests caution is needed when dating marine shell in the Caribbean, but highlights the potential of these corrections to provide more accurate radiocarbon chronologies.
QUATERNARY GEOCHRONOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Geography, Physical
Yekun Zhang, Shengmin Huang, Weiju Chen, Fang Qin, Xiaodong Pu, Wenheng Wei, Miaomiao Huang, Rachel Wood, Tim Denham
Summary: This study used phytolith records and radiocarbon dating to examine three freshwater shell midden sites in Nanning City. The study found that the sites formed sequentially with different levels of forest reduction or recovery, indicating varying intensities of site use and impacts on the local environment. Palms were more frequently exploited during the middle period of formation at each site, suggesting resource intensification and selective exploitation by the communities.
Article
Geography, Physical
Bruno David, Lee J. Arnold, Jean-Jacques Delannoy, Joanna Freslov, Chris Urwin, Fiona Petchey, Matthew C. McDowell, Russell Mullett, Jerome Mialanes, Rachel Wood, Joe Crouch, Johan Berthet, Vanessa N. L. Wong, Helen Green, John Hellstrom
Summary: The latest research on Cloggs Cave reveals that the youngest megafaunal specimens date back to 44,500-54,160 years ago, more than previously believed, aligning with the continental pattern of megafaunal extinctions. This suggests that the extinction of these megafauna could not have been caused by climate change leading into the Last Glacial Maximum.
QUATERNARY SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Rachel Wood, Andre Barros Curado Fleury, Stewart Fallon, Thi Mai Huong Nguyen, Anh Tuan Nguyen
Summary: In hot environments, collagen degrades quickly, making it difficult to obtain accurate dates through C-14 dating of bones. Although hydroxyapatite contains a small amount of carbonate, it is often heavily contaminated with exogenous carbonate, leading to underestimated dates. Acetic acid appears to be the most effective in removing carbonate contaminants.
Letter
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Thibaut Deviese, Gregory Abrams, Mateja Hajdinjak, Stephane Pirson, Isabelle De Groote, Kevin Di Modica, Michel Toussaint, Valentin Fischer, Dan Comeskey, Luke Spindler, Matthias Meyer, Patrick Semal, Tom Higham
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Anthropology
Michael C. Westaway, Douglas Williams, Kelsey Lowe, Nathan J. Wright, Ray Kerkhove, Jennifer Silcock, Joshua Gorringe, Justyna Miszkiewicz, Rachel Wood, Richard Adams, Tiina Manne, Shaun Adams, Tony Miscamble, Justin Stout, Gabriel D. Wrobel, Justine Kemp, Brooke Hendry, Max Gorringe, Betty Gorringe, Keiron Lander, Shawnee Gorringe, Ian Andrews, Mark Collard
Summary: The ethnohistoric accounts indicate that the people of Australia's Channel Country engaged in unique activities compared to other areas on the continent, such as food storage, aquaculture, and possible cultivation. The collaborative research project initiated by the Mithaka people revealed a diverse archaeological record, including large stone quarries, ritual structures, and dwellings. The study uncovered unknown aspects, like the scale of Mithaka quarrying, which may prompt a re-evaluation of Aboriginal socio-economic systems in ancient Australia.
Article
Anthropology
Hannah F. James, Shaun Adams, Malte Willmes, Kate Mathison, Andrea Ulrichsen, Rachel Wood, Antonio C. Valera, Catherine J. Frieman, Rainer Grun
Summary: This study establishes a baseline of strontium isotopes in Portugal by analyzing plant and soil leachate samples. The spatial patterns of Sr-87/Sr-86 in Portugal are influenced by the region's geology and terrain, with higher values in granite areas and along the coast. The study highlights the need to incorporate site-specific measurements in archaeological mobility studies to capture local-scale Sr-87/Sr-86 variation. The resulting strontium isoscape provides a valuable resource for future archaeological and palaeoecological studies in Portugal and contributes to the global mapping of strontium isotope variability.
JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Anthropology
Elle Grono, David E. Friesem, Rachel Wood, Tim Denham, Nguyen Khanh Trung Kien, Dang Ngoc Kinh, Philip J. Piper
Summary: In this study, microarchaeology is used to investigate the outdoor use of space and settlement history at Lo Gach in southern Vietnam. The analysis reveals that the excavated area at Lo Gach was an outdoor space utilized for rice processing, waste disposal, and frequent foot traffic. The results also suggest that intensified rice agriculture and systematic waste management were the main structuring rhythms of social life at the Lo Gach settlement.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND ANTHROPOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Paleontology
Julien Louys, Jonathan Cramb, Kyle Ferguson, Justine Kemp, Rachel Wood, Justyna J. Miszkiewicz, Nathalia Dias R. Guimaraes, Pennilyn Higgins, Kenny J. Travouillon, Scott A. Hocknull, Gregory E. Webb, Gilbert J. Price
Summary: Despite their critical importance for palaeoecological studies and the megafaunal extinction debate, the microfaunal assemblages from the Late Pleistocene to Holocene in Australia are rarely reported. However, the Capricorn Caves in central-eastern Queensland contains significant faunal records, allowing us to explore the microfaunal record of this region. The study reveals important changes in the microfaunal community of tropical Queensland between the Late Pleistocene and the late Holocene, emphasizing the importance of properly recording native faunas for modern biodiversity conservation efforts.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
R. E. Wood, R. Esmay, E. Usher, S. J. Fallon
Summary: The Single Stage AMS radiocarbon facility at the Australian National University has been in operation for 14 years. This paper discusses the pretreatment methods used for the different types of samples and examines the effectiveness of quality assurance protocols in detecting altered materials. Most of the fossil samples tested by the facility come from tropical and arid environments, where diagenesis of organic samples and carbonates is often severe. A significant proportion of the submitted samples cannot be dated, emphasizing the importance of screening and quality assurance methods. After analyzing 250 measurements on bone collagen, revised quality assurance indicators for bone samples are proposed.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Bethan Linscott, Luke Spindler, Jamie Cameron, David Chivall, Rachel Wood
Summary: Accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) radiocarbon (14C) dating is crucial for establishing reliable chronologies in archaeological and paleoenvironmental studies. However, carbon contamination can affect the accuracy of the dating process. The Oxford Radiocarbon Accelerator Unit (ORAU) has made advancements in bone collagen dating by developing a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. However, recent changes in ligand manufacturing methods have led to high analytical backgrounds, making the previous method unsuitable for older material.
Article
Anthropology
Wanchese M. Saktura, Emma Rehn, Lauren Linnenlucke, Henry Munack, Rachel Wood, Fiona Petchey, Alexandru T. Codilean, Zenobia Jacobs, Tim J. Cohen, Alan N. Williams, Sean Ulm
Summary: Reliable chronological frameworks are crucial in archaeology for accurate interpretations of the past. Geochronology plays a vital role in interdisciplinary research by integrating diverse data onto a common timeline. Radiocarbon dating revolutionized Australian archaeology in the 1950s, and additional methods like thermoluminescence and optically stimulated luminescence expanded the study of the deep past. The SahulArch geochronological database focuses on providing reliable, precise, and reproducible ages, with 10,717 ages from 2,318 sites across the Sahul landmass.
AUSTRALIAN ARCHAEOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Rachel Wood, Fleur King, Rebecca Esmay, Qianyang Chen, Larissa Schneider, Emilie Dotte-Sarout, Stewart Fallon, Kirstie Fryirs, Richard Gillespie, Russell Blong
Summary: Radiocarbon dating of charred plant remains is commonly used for dating lake cores and fluvial sequences. However, the charcoal can be older than its depositional context due to various transportation and storage stages. This study revisited samples from the Macdonald River in Australia and found that the inherited age of charcoal fragments could be significantly older than the collection date. Taphonomic factors such as size, shape, and fungal infestation were not effective in identifying the youngest fragments. Only fragments from short-lived materials provided accurate estimation of the collection date. These findings suggest that wood charcoal overestimates deposition age in southeast Australia, and multiple short-lived materials are needed for accurate dating.
Article
Anthropology
R. Dinnis, A. Bessudnov, N. Reynolds, T. Deviese, A. Dudin, A. Pate, M. Sablin, A. Sinitsyn, T. Higham
Summary: The Streletskian culture is crucial for understanding the onset of the Upper Palaeolithic in the East European Plain. Key Streletskian assemblages' ages are uncertain, and there are outstanding questions over their relation to Middle and Early Upper Palaeolithic facies. Re-examination of the oldest Streletskian layers indicates that Kostenki 1 Layer V is the most likely unmixed assemblage, supported by a new radiocarbon date.
JOURNAL OF PALEOLITHIC ARCHAEOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Anthropology
Duncan Wright, Sofia C. Samper Carro, Ladislav Nejman, Glenn van der Kolk, Mirani Litster, Michelle C. Langley, Rachel Wood, Iona Claringbold, Cygnet Repu
Summary: This article explores archaeological evidence for ceremonies practiced on Woeydhul Island in the Western Torres Strait, focusing on initiation rituals. The research provides a detailed history of Torres Strait Islander secret societies and ritual activities.
Article
Anthropology
Bruno David, Joanna Freslov, Russell Mullett, Jean-Jacques Delannoy, Matthew McDowell, Chris Urwin, Jerome Mialanes, Fiona Petchey, Rachel Wood, Lynette Russell, Lee J. Arnold, Birgitta Stephenson, Richard Fullagar, Joe Crouch, Jeremy Ash, Johan Berthet, Vanessa N. L. Wong, Helen Green
Summary: This study presents new research on the iconic archaeological site of Cloggs Cave in Australia, revealing correlations between Late Holocene ash layers, GunaiKurnai ethnography, and current knowledge. The re-interpretation of Cloggs Cave during the Late Holocene suggests it was actively used for special, magical purposes, challenging previous beliefs about its occupation patterns. The differences in archaeological interpretations of Cloggs Cave highlight the importance of data capture and pre-conceptions in shaping archaeological stories and identities of place.
AUSTRALIAN ARCHAEOLOGY
(2021)
