The state's first radiocarbon dating lab will soon be under construction in Fairbanks.
ByFAIRBANKS, Alaska - Radiocarbon dating can determine the age of organic materials that are younger than 60,000 years old. It’s an important tool for several different fields of research here in Alaska.
Except the tool isn’t in Alaska. Everything to be dated needs to be shipped as far away as Georgia in the Southeastern United States — and then there is the wait time and cost, slowing down important arctic research. In very basic terms, radiocarbon dating works like this: all living things ingest particles of radioactive carbon-14. The radioactive part of carbon-14 decays at a steady rate and eventually turns into regular non-radioactive carbon. Using a mass spectrometer, scientists can compare the amount of carbon-14 to regular carbon in a sample. With those measurements, they can determine the age of a sample.
Radiocarbon dating is not only a tool for dating things like fossils — it can be used for researching climate change, coastal erosion and the melting of permafrost. In March, President Biden signed House Resolution 4366 into law. Sen. Lisa Murkowski included $3.5 million dollars in the bill, which includes money to build the first radiocarbon dating lab in Alaska. The project is expected to be complete in about two years.
University Of Alaska Fairbanks Radiocarbon Dating Fairbanks Radiocarbon Dating Alaska Arctic Radiocarbon Dating University Of Alaska
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
UAF professor receives one of the highest honors a scientist can receiveAmong 120 new members announced this year, O’Brien is being recognized for their achievements in original research.
Read more »
With spring comes sap and syrup: UAF’s research into a sugary sweetCollecting sap and creating syrup meets science at UAF where the One Tree Alaska program is working to dial in the details of making this product from Fairbanks.
Read more »
UAF students honored with prestigious awards2024 Barry Goldwater Scholar and the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship.
Read more »
UAF celebrates 102nd CommencementOver 1,000 degrees and certificates were conferred to the class of 2024 on Saturday, during the UAF commencement ceremony.
Read more »
UAF 102nd commencement ceremonyThe 102nd commencement at the University of Alaska Fairbanks will honor the Class of 2024.
Read more »
Protest in Fairbanks, led by Alaska Graduate Workers AssociationAGWA organized a protest at UAF and UAA after having a strike legally blocked.
Read more »