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Evaluation of 14C Ages of Organic Fractions of Paleosols from Loess-Paleosol Sequences Near Xian, China

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 July 2016

M J Head ,
Weijian Zhou  and
Mingfu Zhou
M J Head
Affiliation:
Radiocarbon Dating Research Laboratory, Research School of Pacific Studies, Australian National University, Canberra 2601, Australia
Weijian Zhou
Affiliation:
Radiocarbon Dating Research Laboratory, Research School of Pacific Studies, Australian National University, Canberra 2601, Australia
Mingfu Zhou
Affiliation:
Radiocarbon Dating Research Laboratory, Research School of Pacific Studies, Australian National University, Canberra 2601, Australia
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Abstract

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The 14C dating of organic fractions from paleosol layers containing <2% carbon in loess-paleosol sequences from the loess plateau in China has yielded results that are quite often much younger than the true age of the sediments. Percolation of modern organic materials from agricultural activities, and binding of these materials within the weathered clays of the paleosols has meant that conventional pretreatment techniques for 14C dating would not isolate a reliable chemical fraction. The total sequence from Bei Zhuang Cun, in Shaanxi Province, reflects the climatic history of the area for ca 30,000 years, ranging from the interstadial of the last glacial period to the postglacial period. Analysis of solvent extracts of organic material from this site indicates that they are mainly composed of carbohydrate residues originating from the relatively recent agricultural activity. Validity of the humic components for dating will be discussed.

Type
II. Carbon Cycle in the Environment
Information
Radiocarbon , Volume 31 , Issue 3: June 20-25, 1988 Dubrovnik, Yugoslavia , 1989 , pp. 680 - 695
Copyright
Copyright © The American Journal of Science 

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