Project "Preparation of carbon samples for ¹⁴C dating by the AMS technique – AMS-14C” addresses the following general objectives: reinforced research potential in a WBC (West Balkan Country) country, specialised training in MS (Member State) in order to be able to carry out a specific technique, hosting scientists from abroad for training, and networking of a research centre in a MS with a WBC centre. In addition, special objectives of this project were (i) construction of a graphite preparation line in order to expand the activities of the Radiocarbon Laboratory of the Rudjer Bošković Institute (RBI) in Zagreb to ¹⁴C dating of very small samples of the size of mg, and (ii) upgrading of the existing preparation lines in the RBI Radiocarbon Laboratory by purchasing of various spare parts, chemicals and standard reference materials, hiring a young person for a limited period of time, development of a new modern radiocarbon database, and dissemination of knowledge.

The Project is of the “single proposer” type, i.e., the only participant institution is the Rudjer Bošković Institute in Zagreb, and the project co-ordinator is Ines Krajcar Bronić.

The Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre (SUERC) of the University of Glasgow (UGLA) is the subcontractor on the Project with the major task of measurement of graphite samples, which were prepared at the RBI, at their AMS (Accelerator Mass Spectrometry) facility, and participation in the interlaboratory intercomparison. Also, SUERC contributed to the definition of the final agenda and working plan, the specialized trainings were realized at SUERC and their experts visited the RBI laboratory. A good co-operation was established between RBI and SUERC, the experience of the SUERC staff gained in the development of their line, as well as in the day-to-day preparation and measurement routine, helped us in faster implementation of a new system. It is foreseen to continue this co-operation in future.

The project was structured into 6 work packages:

WP1 – Project administrative and technical management;

WP2 – Training and expert exchange;

WP3 – Rig construction, testing and validation;

WP4 – Intercomparison;

WP5 – Software and database development;

WP6 – Dissemination and exploitation.

The achievements of the first year can be summarized as follows: a graphite preparation line was designed at SUERC and assembled in the RBI Laboratory (Fig. 1.) and its performances were tested; validation of the procedures showed satisfying results; co-operation with the UGLA/SUERC Laboratory for measurements of the graphite targets using their accelerator was established; training of the RBI staff at SUERC and experts from SUERC were hosted at RBI; the new job position for software specialist was opened; electronic and software systems were improved. The International Advisory Board has been formed. In addition, some pieces of equipment, spare parts, chemicals and standard reference material have been purchased to reinforce research potential of the Laboratory and to increase the capabilities of sample preparation procedures for measurements by the existing LSC (liquid scintillation counting) measurement technique.

The main achievements of the second year can be summarized as follows: About hundred graphite targets were prepared and measured by the AMS technique at the SUERC AMS facility. Intercomparison samples showed good agreement with the expected ¹⁴C ages, but also showed that some corrective actions should be taken to clean the laboratory and thus avoid any contamination that may cause some error in measured ages. The LSC measurement technique was improved by introducing a new line for preparation of “small” benzene samples measured in specially designed vials, and the data evaluation procedure was improved to meet the requirements of the new database for import of data. The new database ZAGRADA was completed, new log-book forms were created, and the quality assurance and quality control system was improved. The Final Workshop was organized (and the response of participants showed a great interest for the new technique. Dissemination of results towards both scientific and general public was very intensive.

As a conclusion, we may state that both the general and specific objectives of the project were fully met: the line for routine graphite preparation for AMS – ¹⁴C dating is fully operational, preparation lines for LSC – ¹⁴C dating are modernized, the staff has been trained, a cooperation with the University of Glasgow has been established, a software specialist was hired, the new modern relational database was developed, and specially the final workshop was very successful. Presentation of the results obtained in the Laboratory and work performed under this Project was made on the project internet page

http://www.irb.hr/en/research/projects/intl/euprojects/ams-14c/,

at scientific symposia, on TV, and through various seminars to students and customers. Dissemination activities resulted in 2 papers in international CC journals, 1 paper and several abstracts in conference proceedings, 5 oral and 3 poster presentations and national and international conferences, 6 popular and/public lectures, 3 TV clips on national TV, several articles in newspapers, several information on various web pages, the workshop proceedings, and several laboratory presentations with demonstration to various groups of visitors. These achievements result in improved competitiveness of the RBI Laboratory for future international projects, better visibility of our group and Institute in the region, better opportunities for integration into the European Research Area (ERA), and creation of improved market opportunities for the research centre in WBC.

Fig. 1. The new rig for graphite preparation for AMS – ¹⁴C measurement