Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Radioactive Decay and Radiometric Dating

Radioactive Decay and Radiometric Dating

Radioactivity is a spontaneous disintegration of an unstable nuclide and is a random process, as all the nuclei in the sample do not decay simultaneously. The number of disintegrations per unit time is called the activity (A), which is directly proportional to the number of nuclei in the sample. The decay constant (λ) is an average probability of decay per nucleus in unit time.

Chemical Shift: Internal References and Solvent Effects

Chemical Shift: Internal References and Solvent Effects

In an NMR sample, precise measurement of the absolute absorption frequencies of nuclei is difficult. A standard internal reference compound is added, and the frequency difference between the reference signal and sample signals is measured.
The internal reference compound generally used in NMR spectroscopy is tetramethylsilane (TMS). TMS is preferred because it is chemically inert, soluble in NMR solvents, and easily removable. Also, the highly shielded methyl protons in TMS yield an intense...

Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Lab

Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Lab

For AAS measurements, samples must be introduced as clear solutions, often requiring extensive preliminary treatment to dissolve materials like soils, animal tissues, and minerals. Common methods for sample preparation include treatment with hot mineral acids, wet ashing, combustion in closed containers, high-temperature ashing, or fusion with reagents.
Solutions containing organic solvents, such as low-molecular-mass alcohols, esters, or ketones, enhance absorbances by increasing nebulizer...

Carbon-13 (¹³C) NMR: Overview

Carbon-13 (¹³C) NMR: Overview

Carbon-13 is a naturally occurring NMR-active isotope of carbon with a low natural abundance of 1.1%. In contrast, carbon-12 is the most abundant isotope of carbon with zero nuclear spin. Therefore, it is NMR inactive. The gyromagnetic ratio of carbon-13 is smaller than that of protons. As a result, carbon-13 resonance is about 6000 times weaker than proton resonance. For a given magnetic field strength, the resonance frequency of carbon-13 is about one-fourth of the resonance frequency for...

Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Overview

Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Overview

Atomic emission spectroscopy (AES) is an analytical technique used to determine the elemental composition of a sample by analyzing the light emitted from excited atoms. In AES, atoms in a sample are excited to higher energy levels by thermal energy from high-temperature sources, such as plasma, arcs, or sparks. When these excited atoms return to lower energy states, they emit light at specific wavelengths characteristic of each element. The resulting atomic emission spectrum, which consists of...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

The potential impact of microplastic contamination in cow manure on maternal dung burying behavior and larval survival in the dung beetle Onthophagus taurus.

Chemosphere·2026

Same author

The Importance of Contributions of Conformations to the Radiative Efficiency Value of a Compound Compared to the Lowest Energy Conformer using Quantum Chemistry.

The journal of physical chemistry. A·2026

Same author

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and heavy metals in the egg of peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) populations in West England, United Kingdom.

Ecotoxicology (London, England)·2026

Same author

Accuracy of Several Cubic Equations of State for Predicting Vapor Pressures Using Critical Properties from Experimental Constants, PR+COSMOSAC-Based Constants, and Full PR+COSMOSAC Calculations.

The journal of physical chemistry. A·2026

Same author

Probabilistic approach reveals the toxicity threshold values of free-living raptors in Great Britain, United Kingdom, for the lethal effect of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides.

Environment international·2026

Same author

Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the bepirovirsen binding site have limited impact on treatment response in chronic hepatitis B.

Journal of hepatology·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 31, 2026

Measuring Carbon-based Contaminant Mineralization Using Combined CO2 Flux and Radiocarbon Analyses

Measuring Carbon-based Contaminant Mineralization Using Combined CO₂ Flux and Radiocarbon Analyses

Published on: October 21, 2016

Determination of carbon-14 in environmental level, solid reference materials.

Paul Blowers¹, Jane Caborn, Tony Dell

¹Cefas Lowestoft Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR33 0HT, UK. paul.blowers@cefas.co.uk

Applied Radiation and Isotopes : Including Data, Instrumentation and Methods for Use in Agriculture, Industry and Medicine

|June 24, 2011

Summary

This study assessed carbon-14 ((14)C) activity in environmental materials across UK labs. Results show various techniques are effective, but certified reference materials for (14)C analysis are scarce.

More Related Videos

Sampling and Pretreatment of Tooth Enamel Carbonate for Stable Carbon and Oxygen Isotope Analysis

Sampling and Pretreatment of Tooth Enamel Carbonate for Stable Carbon and Oxygen Isotope Analysis

Published on: August 15, 2018

Characterization, Quantification and Compound-specific Isotopic Analysis of Pyrogenic Carbon Using Benzene Polycarboxylic Acids (BPCA)

Characterization, Quantification and Compound-specific Isotopic Analysis of Pyrogenic Carbon Using Benzene Polycarboxylic Acids (BPCA)

Published on: May 16, 2016

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 31, 2026

Measuring Carbon-based Contaminant Mineralization Using Combined CO2 Flux and Radiocarbon Analyses

Measuring Carbon-based Contaminant Mineralization Using Combined CO₂ Flux and Radiocarbon Analyses

Published on: October 21, 2016

Sampling and Pretreatment of Tooth Enamel Carbonate for Stable Carbon and Oxygen Isotope Analysis

Sampling and Pretreatment of Tooth Enamel Carbonate for Stable Carbon and Oxygen Isotope Analysis

Published on: August 15, 2018

Characterization, Quantification and Compound-specific Isotopic Analysis of Pyrogenic Carbon Using Benzene Polycarboxylic Acids (BPCA)

Characterization, Quantification and Compound-specific Isotopic Analysis of Pyrogenic Carbon Using Benzene Polycarboxylic Acids (BPCA)

Published on: May 16, 2016

Area of Science:

Environmental Science
Radiochemistry
Analytical Chemistry

Background:

Accurate measurement of carbon-14 ((14)C) activity is crucial for environmental monitoring.
A lack of certified reference materials can hinder interlaboratory comparisons and quality assurance.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the performance of different analytical techniques for determining (14)C in solid environmental samples.
To assess the suitability of available IAEA and in-house materials as reference materials for (14)C analysis.

Main Methods:

An intercomparison exercise involving ten UK laboratories was conducted.
Participants analyzed IAEA reference materials (C2, C6, C7) and an in-house QA material.
Laboratories employed various techniques for (14)C activity concentration determination.

Main Results:

All participating laboratories and techniques demonstrated capability in analyzing (14)C at environmental levels.
The precision, sensitivity, and limits of detection varied among the techniques used.
A significant shortage of certified environmental reference materials for (14)C was identified.

Conclusions:

Current analytical techniques are suitable for measuring (14)C in environmental samples.
There is a critical need for the development and certification of more environmental reference materials for (14)C.
The suitability of IAEA and other materials as reference standards requires further assessment.