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Correcting 14C Histograms for the Non-Linearity of the Radiocarbon Time Scale

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 July 2016

Ad Stolk ,
Koos Hogervorst  and
Henk Berendsen
Ad Stolk
Affiliation:
Department of Physical Geography, University of Utrecht Heidelberglaan 2, 3508 TC Utrecht, The Netherlands
Koos Hogervorst
Affiliation:
Department of Physical Geography, University of Utrecht Heidelberglaan 2, 3508 TC Utrecht, The Netherlands
Henk Berendsen
Affiliation:
Department of Physical Geography, University of Utrecht Heidelberglaan 2, 3508 TC Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Abstract

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Large numbers of 14C dates of the base and top of Holocene peat layers may be plotted in 14C histograms in order to establish statistically a chronology of periods of essentially clastic sedimentation and peat formation. Due to the non-linearity of the 14C time scale in terms of calendar years, clustering of 14C dates on random peat growth may occur. This seriously hampers the interpretation of histograms. A quantitative method and computer program were developed to correct the histograms for this effect. The correction factor that has to be applied depends on the calibration curve and the interval width of the correction parameter dy. For peat samples, an interval width of 100 14C yr and a calibration curve based on a 100-yr moving average seems to be a reasonable choice.

Type
Research Article
Information
Radiocarbon , Volume 31 , Issue 2 , 1989 , pp. 169 - 177
Copyright
Copyright © The American Journal of Science 

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