The Godwin Radiocarbon Laboratory is a radiocarbon sample preparation facility, and consists of a hydrogen/iron catalyst system for reducing CO₂ to graphite at high temperature (550oC) (see Freeman et al., Radiocarbon, 2016). The lab was built in 2009/2010 with funding from the Royal Society and extended with support from the Isaac Newton Trust. We work mainly with small carbonate samples (e.g. 0.7 to 5mg carbonate), but can in principle reduce any CO₂ that can be introduced into the vacuum line via the ‘cracking’ of sealed glass tubes or needle penetration of septum-sealed vials (e.g. wood, organic carbon). For the most part this lab serves to facilitate research into past ocean circulation and marine carbon cycling.
Further information on radiocarbon dating and the use of radiocarbon as a carbon cycle tracer.
If you are interested in obtaining radiocarbon dates with our help, please contact Luke Skinner.