Carbon-14: Basics of the system and its use in dating secondary mineralizations on degraded concrete
Department
Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering
Research Advisor
Atekwana, Eliot A.
Advisor's Department
Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering
Abstract
Carbon 14, the radioactive isotope of carbon, provides an isotopic dating system that is very useful in detennining ages for fairly recent, organic, fossilized materials. Paleoclirnatic studies benefit from the use of the carbon system, because carbon 14 can provide an age for a structure and stable carbon isotope variations provide indications about past climate trends. The system can also be used to calculate ages for inorganic materials, specifically building materials partially composed of lime. The creation of the building materials involves burning fossil limestone, and allows the capture of atmospheric carbon dioxide, as the material hardens after construction. Often through degradation of such structures, secondary carbonate mineralization takes places in the form of speleothem-like formations underneath bridges. Isotopic analysis of the carbonate in such structures can provide information on sources of carbon in the structure as-well as past ambient temperatures.
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Document Type
Presentation
Presentation Date
2004-2005
Recommended Citation
Grondin, Sarah, "Carbon-14: Basics of the system and its use in dating secondary mineralizations on degraded concrete" (2004). Opportunities for Undergraduate Research Experience Program (OURE). 237.
https://scholarsmine.mst.edu/oure/237
