The optimum operating conditions providing minimum run-time and running costs have been studied theoretically for a thermal diffusion plant to be used for the enrichment of the radiocarbon isotope from finite sample size.

The calculations are based on a simple approximate model of the enrichment process, regarding the isotope separation column as operating under quasi-stationary state conditions. The temporal variation of the isotope accumulation is given by a single exponential term. From comparison with the numerical solution of the separation tube equation, approximate models of this simple type appear hardly sufficient for analytical work but seem well suited for optimization calculations. For column operation not too close to the equilibrium state, the approximate run-times were found accurate within 0.2 d.

The approximate model has been applied to a column of the concentric type, operated on gaseous methane. Cross-section configuration and temperatures were not varied (hot and cold wall radii: 2.0 and 2.6cm, respectively; hot and cold wall temperatures: 400°C and 14°C, respectively). The column transport coefficients used were derived from measurements. Run-time was minimized by optimizing both the operating pressure and the sample collection mode for different total sample size (range studied: 24 to 100 g), mass of enriched sample (1.8, 2.4, and 3.0 g), enrichment factor (12, 15, and 20) and column length (8 to 18 m). Optimum working pressures are between 1 and 2 atm. Usually, about 90 percent of the enriched sample mass is extracted favorably from the column itself, the length of the sampling section being about 2.5 to 5 m. Typical runtimes are between 3 days and 2 weeks, and isotope yield may reach 90 percent.

Optimum operating conditions have also been calculated for other column configurations reported in literature and are compared with the experimental results.

The La Jolla Radiocarbon Laboratory has measured carbon-14 concentrations in seawater samples collected from 1957 through 1972. The dissolved inorganic carbon in seawater was extracted on board research vessels and was returned to the laboratory for processing and measurement. Both surface and sub-surface samples were collected, primarily from the Pacific Ocean, but also from the Indian Ocean. The purpose of the seawater measurements was to determine the distribution of bomb-produced radiocarbon in the surface water of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, the sub-surface penetration of bomb 14C, the change in 14C/12C ratios with depth, and thus the rate of uptake of bomb 14C by the oceans. This project was the basis of the author's doctoral dissertation (Linick, 1975).

The following list contains most of the measurements made during 1974, since our last list (R, 1973, v 15, p 241-251). All measurements were performed on a Beckman LS-200 Liquid Scintillation Spectrometer following previously published setting up (Polach, 1974), automatic cycling (Polach, 1969) and benzene synthesis (Polach and Stipp, 1966; Polach et al, 1972) procedures.

The dates presented in this paper comprise results of determinations made on archaeologic and geologic material from Socialist Republic Vietnam since 1969. Radioactivity was measured twice for 48 hours with gas proportional counters of Houtermans-Oeschger type, using methane at 1000mm Hg pressure as filling gas. Influence of cosmic and local environmental radiation on the counters was reduced with 30 tons of shielding material as described earlier (R, 1970, v 12, p 400-420).

The Radiocarbon Dating Laboratory of the Institute was established in 1974 primarily to assist in the program of research undertaken by the Institute's Department of Quaternary Palynology (Rajagopalan and Vishnu-Mittre, 1977). The measurements carried out by the Laboratory up to December 1977 are presented in this date list.

All samples described in this date list have been measured since July 1973 to Oct 1975 using carbon dioxide filled proportional counters. Most of samples have been dated with Counter No. 1 (LI) as in our previous list (Mościcki and Zastawny, 1976). Some samples were measured with Counter No. 3 (L3), with a total volume of 1.51 and background and NBS oxalic acid standard counting rate of respectively, 3.50 or 4.00 cpm and 10.05 or 20.40 cpm when filled to 1 or 2 atm pressure (Mościcki and Zastawny, 1977).

Most of the 14C measurements reported here were made between October 1976 and October 1977. Equipment, measurement, and treatment of samples are as reported previously (R, 1968, v 10, p 36-37; 1976, v 18, p 290).

Samples reported in this date list are primarily geologic specimens collected from coastal locations in South Carolina and Florida. Sample material was predominantly shells, with emphasis on single shell dates rather than multiple shell dates. Archaeologic samples from sites either directly above or adjacent to the geologic sampling location were collected whenever possible to provide an upper time limit on the shell deposits.

The present list contains dates of geologic samples from the southern part of the Karelian ASSR and partly from the northwest Leningrad Region, USSR, made in 1969-1975.

The present list includes 66 dates of geologic samples determined using the liquid-scintillation 14C metod at the Geobiochemical Laboratory of the Institute of Zoology and Botany, Academy of Sciences, Estonian SSR. Benzene synthesized from wood dating from 1850 ± 10 yr served as a reference standard. All radiocarbon dates have been calculated using 5568 ± 30 yr before ad 1950 as the half-life of 14C.

Organic and carbonate carbon in sediments deposited in the Cariaco Basin and on the Mississippi River Delta and the total dissolved inorganic carbon in four water column profiles comprise the samples in this list. Except as noted below the samples were processed using the benzene synthesis and other procedures described by Mathews, et al (1972).

The following list comprises age measurements carried out during 1976 and 1977. The activity of 14C was computed by one- and two-channel scintillation devices (Punning et al, 1976; 1977). Ages are calculated using a half-life of 5568 ± 30 years for 14G with NBC oxalic acid as a reference standard. All dates are reported in years before 1950. 12C/13C measurements were not performed and results are not corrected for 13C fractionation.

The following list covers all bone sample measurements finished since the last list (R, 1972, v 14, p 247-271) until the end of 1977; the Egyptian samples were measured as an interlaboratory project and all shells were closely related to some of the bone samples.

The Geochronology Laboratory has recently changed its name to the Center for Applied Isotope Studies to reflect its steady and diversified expansion since its conception in 1969. Initially the laboratory was set up to offer age dating services to personnel at the University of Georgia. Subsequently, the laboratory expanded its activities so as to enable it to participate in studies of an applied and basic research nature.

The following radiocarbon dates are a partial list of samples measured since Sept 1977. The chemical and counting procedures are the same as indicated previously (R, 1978, v 20, p 134-138).