Radionuclide analytical methodologies, sediment samples

January 8, 2002
Bob Anderson, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory
EqPac TT013 Benthic Survey

U, Th and Pa were measured by isotope dilution alpha spectrometry; 10Be by
accelerator mass spectrometry.  The reference that best described the
methods followed for measuring U, Th, Pa and 10Be in sediment samples is:

  Y. Lao, R.F. Anderson, W.S. Broecker, H.J. Hofmann and W. Wolfli,
  Particulate fluxes of 230Th, 231Pa, and 10Be in the Northeastern Pacific
  Ocean, Geochimica Cosmochimica Acta 57(1), 205-217, 1993.

CaCO3 and opal were measured in the Lamont sediment laboratory (a
semi-commercial operation) by standard methods (coulometry for CaCO3;
spectrophotometry following alkaline leach for opal).

14C ages were obtained by accelerator mass spectrometry using bulk CaCO3 at
the US AMS facility in Arizona.