Radiocarbon dating and oxygen isotope variations in late Pleistocene syngenetic ice-wedges, northern Siberia

The occurrence of well-preserved redeposited organic material is. the main limitation for radiocarbon dating of syngenetic permafrost sediments. Only radiocarbon dating of (1) autochthonous organic remains or (2) a series of non-inverted radiocarbon dates, in the case of allochthonous organic material in permafrost thicknesses, is valid. An interpretation of oxygen isotope values from syngenetic ice-wedges is considered in the context of several syngenetic permafrost sequences for northern Eurasia. Radiocarbon dating of organic matter from the host sediments which accumulated synchronously to the ice-wedges provides an age attachment for the oxygen isotope determinations. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.