AMS-validated high-precision radiocarbon analysis of 14C-enriched environmental samples by laser spectroscopy

Year: 2026

Authors: Varga T., Mazzotti D., Molnbr M., Galli I., Varricchio L., Barbth B.D., Pap K.N., Futo I., Bartalini S.

Autors Affiliation: HUN REN Inst Nucl Res, Int Radiocarbon AMS Competence & Training INTERACT, Bem Sq 18 C, H-4026 Debrecen, Hungary; Isotoptech Ltd, Bem Sq 18 C, H-4026 Debrecen, Hungary; Consiglio Nazl Ric CNR INO, Ist Nazl Ott, Via Carrara 1, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy; European Lab Nonlinear Spect LENS, Via Carrara 1, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy; Univ Pisa, Dept Pharm, Via Bonanno Pisano 6, I-56126 Pisa, Italy; Eotvos Lorand Univ, Doctoral Sch Environm Sci, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary; Univ Debrecen, Fac Sci & Technol, Dept Inorgan & Analyt Chem, Environm Analyt Res Grp, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary; Univ Debrecen, Doctoral Sch Environm Sci, Juhasz Nagy Pal Doctoral Sch Biol & Environm Sci, Egyetem Sq 1, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary; PpqSense Srl, Viale Ariosto 492 B, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy.

Abstract: Radiocarbon (C-14) is one of the key isotopes in the field of nuclear environmental protection. This difficult-to-measure isotope constitutes a substantial proportion of the nuclear industry’s dose contribution, underscoring the imperative for precise measurement in regions loaded by C-14 emissions. The currently used technologies such as accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) and liquid scintillation counting (LSC) techniques are capable of determining the exact C-14 content or ratio of C-14-enriched samples. However, the evolving, laser-based spectroscopic methods, such as Saturated-absorption CAvity Ring-down (SCAR) technology, may offer a fast, reliable, and cost-effective alternative for the analysis of lightly labeled carbonaceous materials or slightly C-14-enriched environmental and plant samples. The C-14-enriched plant samples examined in the study demonstrated that the SCAR method is capable of reproducing AMS measurement results with a difference of less than 4 % when measured from the same gas after delta C-13 correction. This study constitutes the inaugural demonstration and practical exemplification of subsamples formed from the same CO2 gas, after the combustion, being measured by AMS, SCAR, and Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS) for C-14/C-12 and C-13/C-12 isotope ratios. The comparative study demonstrates that SCAR is capable of measuring the C-14/C-12 ratio of plant samples between 115 and 2600 pMC with sufficient accuracy and linearity, providing a new alternative for nuclear environmental protection and research in the case of organic samples exceeding the natural environmental level (similar to 100 pMC).

Journal/Review: TALANTA (OXF.)

Volume: 300      Pages from: 129152-1  to: 129152-6

More Information: The research was supported by the European Union and the State of Hungary, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund in the project of GINOP-2.3.4-15-2020-00007 INTERACT. Project NO. C2295145 has been implemented with the support provided by the Ministry of Culture and Innovation of Hungary from the National Research, Development and Innovation Fund, financed under the KDP 2023 ELTE funding scheme. The research was supported by the Hungarian State Eotvos Scholarship, financed by the Culture and Innovation Ministry.
KeyWords: Accelerator mass spectrometry; Radiocarbon; Saturated-absorption cavity ring-down; Plants; (14)Cannched
DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2025.129152