Lastly, accuracy of C-14 dating has been affected by atmosphere nuclear weapons testing. For this reason, aquatic samples cannot be effectively C-14 dated. Substances must have obtained C-14 from the atmosphere. Before or after this range, there is too little of the isotope to be detected.
For example, a sample can be C-14 dating if it is approximately 100 to 50,000 years old. (CC-BY 4.0 OpenStax).Ĭ-14 dating does have limitations. Comparing this ratio to the C-14:C-12 ratio in living organisms allows us to determine how long ago the organism lived (and died).
After death, the C-14 decays and the C-14:C-12 ratio in the remains decreases. \): Along with stable carbon-12, radioactive carbon-14 is taken in by plants and animals, and remains at a constant level within them while they are alive.
