New Guidelines for δ13C Measurements

Consistency of delta13C measurements can be improved 39-47% by anchoring the delta13C scale with two isotopic reference materials differing substantially in 13C/12C. It is recommended that delta13C values of both organic and inorganic materials be measured and expressed relative to VPDB (Vienna Peedee belemnite) on a scale normalized by assigning consensus values of -46.6 per thousand to L-SVEC lithium carbonate and +1.95 per thousand to NBS 19 calcium carbonate. Uncertainties of other reference material values on this scale are improved by factors up to two or more, and the values of some have been notably shifted: the delta13C of NBS 22 oil is -30.03 per thousand.