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Open-File Report 2005–1129
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Amino Acid Racemization in Ostracodes from Bear Lake Cores BL96-1 and BL96-2, Utah and Idaho

By Darrell S. Kaufman

The data presented in this study demonstrate the feasibility of using amino acid racemization in ostracodes for geochronology. The sample size required for an analysis is an order of magnitude less than for AMS 14C dating and presents a new opportunity to derive ages for deposits that are organic poor or suffer from large 14C reservoir effects. Because ostracodes are common in subaqueous depositional settings, the technique can be integrated into studies of lake sediment cores. These environments are ideally suited for amino acid geochronology because, unlike materials collected from emerged deposits, the temperature history of ostracodes recovered in sediment cores from deep lacustrine and marine settings can be estimated confidently within narrow limits.

Version 1.0

Posted June 2005

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