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Science 16 August 1963:
Vol. 141. no. 3581, pp. 634 - 637
DOI: 10.1126/science.141.3581.634
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Articles

Radiocarbon Dating: Fictitious Results with Mollusk Shells

M. L. Keith 1 and G. M. Anderson 1

1 Department of Geochemistry and Mineralogy, Pennsylvania State University, University Park

Evidence is presented to show that modern mollusk shells from rivers can have anomalous radiocarbon ages, owing mainly to incorporation of inactive (carbon-14-deficient) carbon from humus, probably through the food web, as well as by the pathway of carbon dioxide from humus decay. The resultant effect, in addition to the variable contributions of atmospheric carbon dioxide, fermentative carbon dioxide from bottom muds, and, locally, of carbonate carbon from dissolving limestones, makes the initial carbon-14-activity of ancient fresh-water shell indeterminate, but within limits. Consequent errors of shell radiocarbon dates may be as large as several thousand years for river shells.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Petroleum Pollutants in Surface and Groundwater as Indicated by the Carbon-14 Activity of Dissolved Organic Carbon.
E. C. Spiker and M. Rubin (1975)
Science 187, 61-64
   Abstract »    PDF »
Radiocarbon Dating of Mollusk Shells: A Reply.
M. L. Keith, M. L. Keitf, and G. M. Andersoi (1964)
Science 144, 890
   PDF »
Radiocarbon Dating: A Case against the Proposed Link between River Mollusks and Soil Humus.
W. Broecker and W. Broecker (1964)
Science 143, 596-597
   PDF »


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