Standardization and intercalibration trials with 14C isotope

A reliable standardization of stock solution of 14C and the counting equipment is an essential pre-requisite in order to get comparable and meaningful values in primary production measured by 14C techniques. In the course of a comparative study of different methods of standardization it was found that the biological and scintillation methods gave comparable values for stock solutions. The presence of toxic substances in stock solutions can produce disconcertingly divergent values if proper care is not taken in the preparation of ampoules. The results of experimental work on these aspects to ensure accuracy and comparability in the values obtained both in eutrophic and oligotrophic environments are discussed. (author)