Radiocarbon dating of bulk peat samples from raised bogs: non-existence of a previously reported ‘reservoir effect’?

Abstract

In 1995, an unexpected reservoir effect was reported in sequences of bulk 14C dates of raised bog peat. In most peat studies bulk 14C dates are used for obtaining chronologies. Therefore it is important to confirm and quantify such a 14C reservoir effect. Five bulk peat samples from the raised bog Engbertsdijksveen were conventionally 14C dated. The same core had previously been precisely dated by 14C AMS dates of carefully selected above-ground plant remains. The existence of a reservoir effect in bulk peat 14C samples could not be confirmed. Other explanations for the reported reservoir effect are discussed.