Discussion: Reporting and Calibration of Post-Bomb 14 C Data

The definitive paper by Stuiver and Polach (1977) established the conventions for reporting of radiocarbon data for chronological and geophysical studies based on the radioactive decay of 14 C in the sample since the year of sample death or formation. Several ways of reporting 14 C activity levels relative to a standard were also established, but no specific instructions were given for reporting nuclear weapons-testing (post-bomb) 14 C levels in samples. Because the use of post-bomb 14 C is becoming more prevalent in forensics, biology, and geosciences, a convention needs to be adopted. We advocate the use of fraction modern with a new symbol F 14 C to prevent confusion with the previously used Fm, which may…

• NS
  National Science Foundation

  Award: 0407554
• UD
  U.S. Department of Energy

  Awards: W-7405, 7405-Eng-48
• LL
  Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

  Awards: -7405-Eng-48, W-7405-Eng-48