Radiocarbon Activity Measurements of Oolitic Sediments from the Persian Gulf

Abstract

Radiocarbon activity of successive parts of Pleistocene and Holocene ooids and mollusk shells from the Persian Gulf, Kuwait, was measured. The inner part of the ooids showed the lowest activity and the cement between grains the highest. Radiocarbon activities correspond to the general stratigraphy and to the position of the sediments. Radiocarbon ages of Pleistocene sediments seem to be very low due to recrystallization of aragonite. Higher radiocarbon activity of cement indicates that atmospheric carbon dioxide was involved in the subaerial diagenetic process. The radiocarbon age of well-preserved mollusk shells seems to be lower than their allegedly Pleistocene geologic age.