Laser spectroscopic radiocarbon laboratory for environmental research at Zhejiang Normal University in China

Year: 2026

Authors: Zhou Y., Wang JW., Li LL., Ling Q., Guo T., Chen DR., Detti A., Bartalini S., Guan Z.G.

Autors Affiliation: Zhejiang Normal Univ, Ctr Environm & Climate Change Res, Hangzhou 311231, Peoples R China; PpqSense SRL, Viale Ariosto 492-B, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy; CNR, Ist Nazl Ott INO, European Lab Nonlinear Spect LENS, Via Carrara 1, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy.

Abstract: Radiocarbon analysis is a powerful tool, not only for archaeological and geological dating but also for distinguishing between fossil and biogenic carbon sources in environmental studies. At the Centre for Environmental and Climate-Change Research (CECCR) of Zhejiang Normal University, we have established a new laboratory based on laser-spectroscopic radiocarbon analysis. It features a semi-automated measurement system that integrates laser-spectroscopic 14C/13C analyzers with commercial sample preparation units. This system achieves a measurement accuracy of 0.5 pMC and a precision of approximately 2%o, with an averaging time of four hours. Beyond a description of the system, this work outlines the corresponding data quality control protocols, daily maintenance procedures, and laboratory support infrastructure. We demonstrate the system’s effectiveness through applications to real environmental samples-including air, plant, and bio-based plasticshighlighting its capability for tracing fossil fuel emissions and quantifying bio-content. The laboratory will support environmental decision-making and provide radiocarbon measurement services for wider scientific research.

Journal/Review: NUCLEAR INSTRUMENTS & METHODS IN PHYSICS RESEARCH SECTION B-BEAM INTERACTIONS WITH MATERIALS AND ATOMS

Volume: 577      Pages from: 166151-1  to: 166151-7

More Information: The authors declare the following potential conflicts of interest: Amelia Detti is an employee and Saverio Bartalini is the founder of the ppqSense S.r.l. A Project Supported by Scientific Research Fund of Zhejiang Pro-vincial Education Department (Y202559040) and Natural Science Foundation of China (NO.42575146) .
KeyWords: Radiocarbon Laboratory; Laser Spectroscopy; Data Quality Control; Environmental Research
DOI: 10.1016/j.nimb.2026.166151