Beyond archaeology: 14C-AMS and the global carbon cycle

Abstract

The Keck Carbon Cycle Accelerator Mass Spectrometer (KCCAMS) facility specializes in using radiocarbon ( 14C) as a tracer for the global carbon cycle (GCC). KCCAMS distinguishes between natural and anthropogenic carbon found in natural waters, soils, sediments, the atmosphere, and biota. Presented here is an overview of our compact accelerator mass spectrometer (AMS) system. A brief description of technical modifications that allow us to obtain high beam current output from the ion-source (∼225 μA of 12C -) and achieve high precision (0.2-0.3%), with minimum downtime for maintenance is also given. General requirements of 14C-AMS sample preparation are summarized including recent advancements allowing the measurement of samples < 0.100 mg of carbon. In this review paper, the importance of the global carbon cycle and how the 14C-AMS (as tracer) has assisted into understanding carbon exchange and cycling between the Earth's reservoirs - terrestrial, atmospheric, and marine - are succinctly illustrated and discussed. © 2012 American Institute of Physics.