Supercritical fluid extraction employing high-pressure carbon dioxide and methanol was explored to remove humic acid contamination from archaeological artifacts prior to plasma oxidation and accelerator mass spectrometry radiocarbon dating.  Archeological sample matrices used in this study included charcoal, fibers, seeds, and macroflora. We varied experimental conditions, including pressure, temperature, and percent methanol modifier � the latter acting as a co-solvent to increase the polarity of the extraction fluid. Radiocarbon dating results after supercritical fluid extraction and traditional pretreatment methods were compared to evaluate the efficacy of supercritical fluid pretreatment. Utilization of supercritical fluid extraction as a pretreatment step could contribute significantly to radiocarbon dating of archaeological samples in a non-destructive manner.

Supercritical fluid extraction of archaeological artifacts prior to radiocarbon dating

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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