Question

Does water mess up carbon dating?

Answer 1

Answer:

In radiocarbon dating, the hard-water effect has been identified as a cause of inaccuracy. It occurs when the item to be dated, such as a mollusk shell or a plant, synthesizes its skeleton underwater and therefore utilizes bicarbonate obtained in part from ancient, inert sources, resulting in the overestimation of ages.

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Answer 2

Answer:

THE hard-water effect is a recognized source of error in radiocarbon dating. It causes ages to be over-assessed and arises when the material to be dated, such as mollusc shell or plant, synthesizes its skeleton under water and so uses bicarbonate derived in part from old, inert sources.

https://www.nature.com/articles/240460a0#:~:text=THE%20hard%2Dwater%20effect%20is,part%20from%20old%2C%20inert%20sources.