Tephra from the Cape Riva (Y-2) eruption of Santorini has been found across the eastern Mediterranean. It presents an important link between marine and terrestrial records. A Poisson process (P Sequence) age-depth prior, with model averaging, is used to model individual previously published radiocarbon sequences, cross-linked with an exponential phase model parameter to obtain a robust age. Multiple sequences and 14C determinations from 3 eastern Mediterranean data sets (Seymour et al. 2004; Margari et al. 2009; Müller et al. 2011; Roeser et al. 2012) are used in the model. The modeled age of the Y-2 tephra produced within this study is 22,329–21,088 cal BP at 95.4% probability.

The Kawagodaira Volcano is located on the northwest slope of Amagi Volcano on the Izu Peninsula of central Japan. The fine pumice that erupted from Kawagodaira Volcano is widely distributed in the central and western parts of the Japanese mainland. Here, we report an accurate eruption age determined by radiocarbon wiggle-matching of a Japanese cedar timber excavated from the pyroclastic deposit at the pumice flow terminal of Kawagodaira Volcano. The 14C wiggle-match estimate for the Kawagodaira Volcano eruption is 1210–1187 cal BC (95.4% confidence level).

We performed pollen analysis and accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) radiocarbon dating on cored sediments (KS0412-3) from Kashibaru Marsh, located in the western part of the Sefuri Mountains in northern Kyushu, southwestern Japan, to investigate environmental change around the marsh. Sediment accumulation began in this marsh around cal AD 1200 and continued with an estimated average sedimentation rate of about 4 mm/yr. Human rice cultivation at this location began around cal AD 1300 and was abandoned due to the deposition of a thick sand layer at around cal AD 1400. Since this event, the area has been maintained as a “natural” marsh.

Variation in stable carbon isotope ratios in C3 plants can be influenced by climatic and environmental factors. For archaeologists, who regularly collect the measured values of these data as a part of the radiocarbon date reporting process, there is promise in using these data to create a local record of paleoclimatic change relevant to their study areas. Plant Δ13C can be expressed as δ13C values (carbon isotopic discrimination) that can be used in modern experimental studies for stronger paleoclimatic/paleoenvironmental interpretations. As values of Δ13C vary in different species, taxonomic information is necessary for interpretation. In the present study, a record of Irish oak δ13C data are used to construct a local climate history for Ireland. Wetter periods in Ireland inferred from δ13C data correspond to warmer Northern Hemisphere temperatures, in agreement with climate models. Values of δ13C from other species are used to illustrate the importance of using data from taxa with known relationships between climate and stable carbon isotope fractionation.

A series of annual tree-ring measurements has been performed in order to reconstruct the radiocarbon concentration variation in the Korean atmosphere from AD 1650 to 1850. The absolute ages of the samples were determined using dendrochronology. Alpha-cellulose extraction was applied to prepare the tree-ring samples for precise 14C measurement. The 14C concentrations of the tree rings were then plotted with the dendrochronological ages and showed that during the period AD 1650–1850, the discrepancy in 14C concentration in the Korean atmosphere from IntCal data is small enough to use IntCal data without any further correction. This is nearly one third of the average offset of the 400 yr from AD 1250 to 1650. One of the probable causes for the regional offset around Korea is the contribution of 14C-depleted CO2 released from the northern Pacific Ocean, where old deep water upwells to the surface. It is likely that the release rate of 14C-depleted CO2 decreased due to the temperature change during the Little Ice Age.

A simplified model of hydrological changes during the Late Glacial and Holocene is presented for the northern Polish regions that were ice covered during the Last Glacial. This reconstruction is based on a group of 197 radiocarbon dates from about 120 localities reflecting the sequence of alternating lake transgressions and regressions. The earliest transgressions were related to dead-ice melting (sometimes in 2–3 phases), while the later ones started during more humid phases. However, these were usually followed by regressions, which may have been connected with the formation of new drainage systems and with the overgrowing of shallow lakes by peat bogs.

To investigate the radiocarbon concentration of atmospheric CO2 over the past few millennia in Japan, we measured the 14C age of annual rings from 3 Japanese trees with calendar dates ranging from ∼2000 yr old to present, and we compared the tree-ring 14C age with the corresponding 14C age from IntCal09. In some instances, the 14C ages of the annual rings of Japanese trees are not consistent with the IntCal09 data sets. Often, the 14C ages of tree rings are older than those from IntCal09, but younger than those from the SHCal04 data sets. The average shifts in the Nagoya 14C age from IntCal09 data sets and 1σ errors were determined to be +26 ± 36, +24 ± 30, +16 ± 22, +5 ± 21, and +14 ± 22 14C yr for the intervals AD 72– 382, 589–1072, 1413–1615, 1617–1739, and 1790–1860, respectively. The Japanese Archipelago is situated near the boundary of the Intertropical Convergence Zone in summer, and the 14C concentration of atmospheric CO2 over Japan can be influenced by air masses of the Southern Hemisphere with lower 14C concentrations during periods of higher solar activity and heightened East Asian summer monsoons. Our results suggest that the Japanese Archipelago is located in a critical zone where it is difficult to calibrate the 14C age of tree-ring samples using existing calibration data sets. It should be noted that calibration of the 14C dates of Japanese samples with IntCal09 may induce additional systematic shifts of calibrated ages toward older ages by about 30 yr compared with the sample optimum calendar ages.

An age-depth model based on radiocarbon dates was produced from a Holocene profile collected from a rich fen situated in the Beskid Sądecki Mountains (the Outer Western Carpathians, southern Poland). The model is compared against the results of palynological and loss on ignition (LOI) analyses supplemented by the identification of organic deposits. Five distinct palynological episodes are detected. These potential palynological age markers are critically compared with the results of age-depth modeling and other dated profiles. The results presented distinctly show that using palynological episodes as age markers for age-depth construction may be highly misleading.

Caves and rockshelters are critical loci for the analysis and understanding of human trajectories in the past. Use and re-uses of the same context, however, might have had serious impacts on depositional aspects. This is particularly true for the archaeological history of desert environments, such as the central Sahara, where most of the deposits are made of loose sand, rich in organic matter. Besides traditional stratigraphic reconstructions and a detailed study of the material culture, radiocarbon measurements from different contexts analyzing several types of material (bone, dried and charred coprolite, uncharred and charred plant remains, etc.) can highlight intrinsic critical aspects of 14C determinations. These measurements must be carefully evaluated to provide a correct chronological assessment of the life history of the site. We present the statistics derived from the set of about 50 14C measurements from the site of Takarkori, southwest Libya, where early Holocene foragers and then groups of cattle herders inhabited the area from ∼10,200 to 4600 cal yr BP. We have used the BCal Bayesian 14C calibration program designed for statistical presentation of the calibrated data and the estimation of their probability for different phases. Results indicate that the Takarkori rockshelter was occupied during 4 phases of the following cultures: Late Acacus from 10,170 to 8180 cal yr BP; Early Pastoral, 8180–6890 cal yr BP; Middle Pastoral, 7160–5610 cal yr BP; and Late Pastoral, 5700–4650 cal yr BP.

A sediment core was studied to characterize the influences of Holocene sea-level variations in the Barra Seca River valley, in the Atlantic rainforest, Linhares, Espírito Santo, southeastern Brazil. Biological proxies (pollen, spores, and sponge spicules), 14C dating, granulometry, δ13C, δ15N, C/N and major chemical elements revealed the establishment and the evolution of a paleo-estuary during the interval from ∼7700–585 cal BP. During the interval ∼7700–7000 cal BP, the study site was occupied by a bay-head delta, the inner portion of the paleo-estuary, presenting the most dense mangrove coverage of the entire record. In the interval ∼7000–3200 cal BP, the site was occupied by the central basin, possibly a consequence of the landward migration of the paleo-estuary. This interval presents reduced mangrove coverage, probably due to the permanent flooding of the valley. From ∼3200 cal BP, the marine influence at the site decreased probably as result of the seaward migration of the coast line. From ∼600 cal BP, the modern floodplain and freshwater lake were established. This interpretation is in agreement with the sea-level curves for the southeastern Brazilian coast, except for the fact that evidence of sea levels lower than the present at ∼4000 and ∼2500 cal BP as suggested by some authors were not found.

Radiocarbon is one of the most significant radionuclides affecting the safety margins of near-surface repositories for the disposal of low- and intermediate-level, short-lived radioactive waste, arising from the operation and decommissioning of nuclear power plants (NPPs). One of the goals of the present study was to characterize radioactive waste from Ignalina NPP (Lithuania) (storage tanks TW18B01 and TW11B03) from the spent ion-exchange resins/perlite stream to determine the 14C-specific activity of inorganic and organic carbon compounds. The approach applied is based on classical radiochemical separation methods, including acid-stripping techniques and wet oxidation with subsequent catalytic combustion. The suitability of the method for 14C-specific activity determination in ion-exchange resin samples with a minimum detectable activity of 0.5 Bq/g by liquid scintillation counting (LSC) was demonstrated. The extraction efficiency of inorganic and organic carbon compounds based on model samples with known 14C activity was estimated. The fraction of 14C associated with organic compounds ranged from 42% to 63% for storage tank TW18B01 and from 30% to 63% for storage tank TW11B03. The specific activity of inorganic 14C was estimated as 12.6 Bq/g with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 29% for storage tank TW18B01, and 177.5 Bq/g with a RSD of 35% for storage tank TW11B03. Based on volume and density data, the total 14C activity for radioactive waste stored in tanks TW18B01 and TW11B03 was estimated as 3.59E + 10 Bq (±32%) and 4.15E + 11 Bq (±28%), respectively.

Analysis of biological proxies in lake sediment and geochemical analysis of soil profiles reveal natural vegetation dynamics, with climate inferences, since the late Pleistocene in a fragment of the pristine lowland Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil. Carbon isotopes from soil organic matter and 14C ages from the humin fraction indicate the dominance of C3 plants since ∼17,000 cal BP. Palynological analysis of a sediment core indicates the presence of Atlantic Forest vegetation since 7700 cal BP. Changes in the relative abundance of tree ferns and palms suggest the predominance of a humid period from ∼7000–4000 cal BP and establishment of the modern seasonal climate at ∼4000 cal BP. Data indicate maintenance of the regional forest coverage since the late Pleistocene, corroborating previous suggestions that this region was a forest refuge during less humid periods of the late Pleistocene and Holocene. Some plant taxa with currently divided distributions between Amazonia and the Atlantic Forest colonized the region since at least 7500 cal BP, indicating an earlier connection between Amazonia and Atlantic Forest.

From October 2010 to November 2011, the urban atmospheric CO2 concentration in Guangzhou ranged from 550 to 460 ppm, with mean monthly concentration fluctuating between 530 and 470 ppm. A lower concentration was observed in summer and autumn, while a higher concentration occurred in spring and winter. The urban atmospheric CO2 δ13C value varied between −9.00 and −13.10%, with mean monthly value fluctuating between −9.60 and −11.80%. There was no significant relationship between the CO2 concentration and δ13C value, reflecting the influence from the fossil-fuel-derived CO2 on the urban atmospheric CO2. The urban atmospheric CO2 Δ14C value fluctuated dramatically from 29.1 ± 2.5% to −85.2 ± 3. 1%, with a mean annual value of −16.4 ± 3.0%. A similar seasonal variation of Δ14C value with the concentrations was observed: the higher Δ14C values mainly appeared in summer and autumn (July to September), with a mean value of about −5.2 ± 2.9%, while lower Δ14C values occurred in spring and winter (December to April), about −27.1 ± 3.2% average. Based on the atmospheric Δ14C values, the calculated fossil-fuel-derived CO2 concentrations range between 1 and 58 ppm, with the mean annual concentration around 24 ppm. Similarly, a lower fossil-fuel-derived CO2 concentration appeared in summer and autumn (July to September) with a mean value of ∼17 ppm, while the higher fossil-fuel-derived CO2 concentration occurred in spring and winter (December to April) with an average value of ∼29 ppm. A comparison of the CO2 concentrations before and after the Guangzhou Asian Games (in November 2010) and the Spring Festival of 2011 confirmed that human activities can greatly decrease the fossil-fuel-derived CO2 emissions to the urban atmosphere in Guangzhou.

The need to address radiological impacts from radiocarbon released to the biosphere has been recognized for some time. In 2011, the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority (SSM) commissioned a study to develop a 14C model of the soil-plant-atmosphere system that would provide them with an independently developed assessment capability. This paper summarizes that study, which comprised a review of contemporary models, the development of a new conceptual model, SSPAM14C, and the application of SSPAM14C to a set of experimental data relating to the atmospheric exposure of cabbages.

This study compares age estimates of recent peat deposits in 10 European ombrotrophic (precipitation-fed) bogs produced using the 14C bomb peak, 210Pb, 137Cs, spheroidal carbonaceous particles (SCPs), and pollen. At 3 sites, the results of the different dating methods agree well. In 5 cores, there is a clear discrepancy between the 14C bomb peak and 210Pb age estimates. In the upper layers of the profiles, the age estimates of 14C and 210Pb are in agreement. However, with increasing depth, the difference between the age estimates appears to become progressively greater. The evidence from the sites featured in the study suggests that, provided aboveground plant material (seeds, leaves) is selected for dating, the 14C bomb peak is a reliable dating method, and is not significantly affected by the incorporation of old carbon with low 14C content originating from sources including air pollution deposition or methane produced by peat decomposition. 210Pb age estimates that are too old may be explained by the enrichment of 210Pb activity in the surface layers of peat resulting from a hypothesized mechanism where rapidly infilling hollows, rich in binding sites, may scavenge 210Pb associated with dissolved organic matter passing through the hollow, as part of the surface drainage network. Until further research identifies and resolves the cause of the inaccuracy in 210Pb dating, age estimates of peat samples based only on 210Pb should be used with caution.

Radiocarbon is present in solid radioactive wastes arising from the nuclear power industry, in reactor operating wastes, and in graphite and activated metals that will arise from reactor decommissioning. Its half-life of 5730 yr, among other factors, means that 14C may be released to the biosphere from radioactive waste repositories. These releases may occur as 14C-bearing gases, especially methane, or as aqueous species, and enter the biosphere from below via natural processes or via groundwater pumped from wells. Assessment of radiation doses to humans due to such releases must take account of the major role of carbon in biological processes, requiring specific 14C assessment models to be developed. Therefore, an intercomparison of 5 14C assessment models was organized by the international collaborative forum, BIOPROTA. The intercomparison identified significantly different results for the activity concentrations in the soil, atmosphere, and plant compartments, based upon the different modeling approaches. The major source of uncertainty was related to the identification of conditions under which mixing occurs and isotopic equilibrium is established. Furthermore, while the assumed release area plays a role in determining the calculated atmospheric 14C concentrations, the openness of the plant canopy and the wind profile in and above the canopy are the key drivers. The intercomparison has aided understanding of the processes involved and helped to identify areas where further research is required to address some of the uncertainties.

We summarize the use of radiocarbon produced by spallation in meteorites in space to determine their terrestrial age or residence time. This “age” gives us important information as it can be compared to the rates of weathering and infall of meteorites. The processes that affect the collection of meteorites in a given area can be related to the rates of infall of new meteorites, and the rate of removal by chemical weathering and physical erosion.

The concentrations of 10Be and 14C and values of δ13C in samples collected during a major dust storm in Beijing on 16–17 April 2006 were studied. The 10Be concentrations ranged from 1.69 × 108 to 2.07 × 108 atom/g, 14C ages for black carbon (BC) ranged from 3001 to 5181 yr BP and for total inorganic carbon (TIC) from 8464 to 9119 yr BP, and δ13C values for BC ranged from -23.15% to -23.80% and for TIC from -5.39% to -5.98%. A comparison of BC content and δ13C value between the dust, surface soil in the dust source region, and aerosols in Beijing indicated that BC in the dust deposited in Beijing is significantly incorporated by aerosol BC during the dust transportation. Based on the 14C ages of BC, the proportion of fossil-fuel-derived BC was 0.35–0.49 of the total. In contrast to BC, the TIC deposited in Beijing can be firmly related to the source area and δ13C was not significantly modified during its transportation. According to the 14C ages of TIC, the proportion of the secondary carbonate in the dust was from 0.63 to 0.70. The results confirm that 14C of TIC is another useful tracer to indicate the source region of dust besides the content and δ13C value of TIC from the arid and semi-arid regions of China.

Tree-ring series were collected for radiocarbon analyses from the vicinity of Paks nuclear power plant (NPP) and a background area (Dunaföldvár) for a 10-yr period (2000–2009). Samples of holocellulose were prepared from the wood and converted to graphite for accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) 14C measurement using the MICADAS at ETH Zürich. The 14C concentration data from these tree rings was compared to the background tree rings for each year. The global decreasing trend of atmospheric 14C activity concentration was observed in the annual tree rings both in the background area and in the area of the NPP. As an average of the past 10 yr, the excess 14C emitted by the pressurized-water reactor (PWR) NPP to the atmosphere shows only a slight systematic excess (∼6′) 14C in the annual rings. The highest 14C excess was 13′ (in 2006); however, years with the same 14C level as the background were quite frequent in the tree-ring series.

For this radiocarbon study, 7 saltwater pearls and 3 shells from pearl oysters have been analyzed. The declared ages of the samples range from the mid-19th century to very recent formations. The analyzed data show the potential of the bomb peak time marker to provide additional information when testing pearls. The analyzed pearls could be distinctly separated in pearls of pre- and post-bomb peak ages, in agreement with the distinction based on the declared ages. The analyzed data further reveals the potential of this method to provide supporting evidence for the historic provenience of a pearl or as an indication of a natural or cultured formation of a pearl.