Abstract
Significant levels of 14C have been detected in uranium‐bearing minerals using the tandem accelerator mass spectrometer at the University of Arizona. The amount of 14C detected in a given mineral is proportional to the concentration of uranium in that mineral. The average value of 14C atoms/uranium atom is (2.2±0.5)×10−15 (2σ). These data are consistent with the assumption of direct 14C emission from one or more nuclei in the 238U decay chain with a branching ratio of 1.0 to 2.0×10−9, relative to alpha decay. The uncertainty results from the possible production of 14C from 11B(α,p)14C.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 737-740 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Geophysical Research Letters |
Volume | 12 |
Issue number | 10 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 1985 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Geophysics
- General Earth and Planetary Sciences