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A tree-ring cellulose extraction device adapted to radiocarbon analysis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 September 2024

Pengyu Lin Open the ORCID record for Pengyu Lin [Opens in a new window] ,
Yesi Zhao Open the ORCID record for Yesi Zhao [Opens in a new window] ,
Hongyan Zhang Open the ORCID record for Hongyan Zhang [Opens in a new window] ,
Thomas Wieloch Open the ORCID record for Thomas Wieloch [Opens in a new window] ,
Yao Gu ,
Chenghong Liang Open the ORCID record for Chenghong Liang [Opens in a new window] ,
Feng Chen Open the ORCID record for Feng Chen [Opens in a new window]  and
Huayu Lu Open the ORCID record for Huayu Lu [Opens in a new window]
Pengyu Lin
Affiliation:
School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, China
Yesi Zhao
Affiliation:
School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, China Frontiers Science Center for Critical Earth Material Cycling, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, China
Hongyan Zhang*
Affiliation:
School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, China Frontiers Science Center for Critical Earth Material Cycling, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, China
Thomas Wieloch
Affiliation:
Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå Plant Science Centre, Umeå, 90183, Sweden
Yao Gu
Affiliation:
School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, China
Chenghong Liang
Affiliation:
School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, China
Feng Chen
Affiliation:
Yunnan Key Laboratory of International Rivers and Transboundary Eco-Security, Institute of International Rivers and Eco-Security, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan, 650091, China
Huayu Lu*
Affiliation:
School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, China Frontiers Science Center for Critical Earth Material Cycling, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, China
*
Corresponding authors: Hongyan Zhang; Email: [email protected] and Huayu Lu; Email: [email protected]
Corresponding authors: Hongyan Zhang; Email: [email protected] and Huayu Lu; Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

Tree-ring cellulose is a commonly used material for radiocarbon analysis. Extracting cellulose is labor-consuming and several devices that enable batchwise extraction have been developed. However, these devices bear the risk of sample contamination. The present study describes a new device which improves upon two aspects of currently available devices. First, to prevent cross-sample-contamination, we redesigned the drainage module to enable independent removal of chemical waste from each individual sample funnel. Second, we added covers to the sample funnels to reduce the risk of external contamination. Cellulose purity (i.e., holocellulose) was confirmed by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy. Furthermore, accuracy of the radiocarbon analysis was confirmed by results of 14C-blank samples and samples of known age. In conclusion, while maintaining labor-saving, our modified device significantly reduces the risk of sample contamination during extraction of tree-ring cellulose.

Keywords

cellulose extractiondendrochronologyradiocarbon analysistree-ring analysis
Type
Technical Note
Information
Radiocarbon , Volume 66 , Issue 4 , August 2024 , pp. 806 - 815
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of University of Arizona

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