Comparison of Manual and Automated Pretreatment Methods for AMS Radiocarbon Dating of Plant Fossils

Abstract

A new automated pretreatment system for the preparation of materials submitted for accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) analysis is less time-consuming and results in a higher sample yield. The new procedure was tested using two groups of plant fossils: one group was pretreated using the traditional method, and the second, using the automated pretreatment apparatus. We compared the time it took to complete the procedure and the amount of sample material remaining. The automated pretreatment apparatus proved to be more than three times faster and, in most cases, produced a higher yield. We also observed a darker discoloration of the KOH solutions, indicating that the automated system is more thorough in removing humates from the specimen compared to the manual method.