| Abstract: | A fast and economical routine sample preparation system is described for direct counting of14C for hydrological purposes. The method employs commercially available CO2 absorbers, such as Carbosorb, and liquid scintillation counters. The maximum error involved individual analyses is about ±4pmc (1 δ) on the Beckman counter and about ±2 pmc on the Quantulus counter with a resulting detection limit of 21,000–29,000 a for the Beckman LS7500 and 1220 Quantulus, respectively for a counting time of 1000 min. To avoid physical weighing procedures, an indirect method is presented to determine the grams of C absorbed in the counting solution by using the H-# quench monitor technique available in the Beckman liquid scintillation counters. On one sample preparation system at least five samples can be prepared per normal working day. The applicability of the CO2-absorption method is discussed with reference to two field sites and with reference to comparisons with data obtained on the same samples measured with conventional techniques. |
