Konrad Tudyka

Radiocarbon dating of peat profile with metallurgy industry evidence

Radiocarbon Dating of Peat Profile with Metallurgy Industry Evidence In this work an age model for a peat core from the site near Żyglin, based on 14C is presented. The investigated profile is marked with some possible evidence of early human activity in this region. The earliest metallurgy industry is expected to correspond with charcoal production and the recent increase of metal content in this profile. In this work the Quantulus 1220™ recently purchased was used for 14C dating with liquid scintillation counting (LSC) technique. Therefore results of calibration, tests and verification with use of samples from inter-comparison programs (VIRI, FIRI) are also presented.

The Application of ICELS Systems for Radiocarbon Dating

Liquid scintillation counting (LSC) for radiocarbon dating is a less expensive method than accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS), provides a high degree of accuracy, and is less prone to contamination due to the larger sample sizes. However, to obtain high precision, a long counting time is needed. The Gliwice Radiocarbon Laboratory is seeking to obtain an increased counting capacity with 2-3 mL benzene samples than we presently can achieve with our 2 Quantulus systems. We are therefore investigating the possibility of using a simple, single-phototube LS system (ICELS) for dating samples younger than 5000 yr. We present the first results of this investigation, including the measurement of 3 VIRI and 3 FIRI intercomparison samples.

Simulation of He+ induced afterpulses in PMTs

We report on a Monte Carlo simulation study of afterpulses due to trace gases in EMI 9235QA photomultipliers that are widely used in many luminescence detection systems operating in single photon counting mode. The numerical simulation takes into account the nonuniform electric field distribution and processes including elastic scattering: e + He → e + He, excitation: e + He → e + He(∗), ionization: e + He → 2e + He(+), elastic scattering: He(+) + He → He(+) + He, charge transfer: He(+) + He → Hef + He(+) (Hef indicates a fast neutral) and elastic scattering: Hef + He → Hef + He(f). The simulated and the measured time of flight distributions agree well. In addition, the above simulated processes demonstrate mechanisms of the observed series of pulses brought about by a single helium atom ionization.

Biocomponent determination in vinegars with the help of 14C measured by liquid scintillation counting.

This article presents a method of carbon extraction from vinegar used in preparation of liquid scintillation counting cocktails for measurements of low (14)C radioactivity. The presented method is relatively fast and can be used to produce liquid scintillation cocktails e.g., via benzene synthesis. In this work we present specific radiocarbon radioactivity determinations and based on them estimation of bio product content for five commercially available vinegars. All investigated vinegars are likely produced from plants in fermentation process.

Radiocarbon and lead-210 age-depth model and trace elements concentration in the Wolbrom fen (S Poland)

Abstract A one-meter long peat core was taken from the peatland in Wolbrom (Silesian-Cracovian Upland, southern Poland). The analysis of the botanical composition showed that Wolbrom is a fen. Vegetation species such as Carex rostrata and Phragmites australis have been found. An age-depth model was constructed using 12 conventional radiocarbon dates and 13 lead-210 dates from the upper part of the deposit. In this work, the results of radiocarbon dating are presented. According to the model, we can estimate the age of the fen. The oldest part comes from a depth of 1.05 meter and its conventional age is 5940 ± 95 BP (modelled date 5000–4790 BC, 68.2% probability interval). The accumulation rate varies between approximately 0.53 mm·yr-1 and 6.48 mm·yr− 1. The core has been also tested for the presence of trace elements (Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn) using ICP-OES. There are considerable variations in the concentrations of the tested metals – in many cases the concentration starts to rise at about 40 cm and may be connected with the human activity. This depth corresponds to the modelled age intervals 355–300 BC (17.4%) and 205–45 BC (50.7%).