Dear Clemente,

I would argue that what has been done to date has been based on "little
tests". What is really required is a fundamental understanding of the
nature of the problem. What's in our samples to start with? What really
happens when biogenic carbonates are treated using different
organic-removal procedures? How do different organic contaminants
respond? Are organic contaminants the only problem - what about
structurally-bound water? What are the effects on the resultant isotopic
data? Finally (perhaps), what are the consequences of the different
sample prep systems and methods that are now available for carbonate
analysis?

If sufficient people are interested in attempting some sort of
comparison I could come up with a small number of materials that could
be circulated. At worst we might be better able to appreciate the scale
of the problem even if we can't provide a solution. Perhaps there is no
problem at all!

My reply to Bill's original message was meant to be deliberately
provocative, but I do appreciate that I am at serious risk of annoying
those list members who find this subject rather tedious. So, could I
please urge any interested parties to contact me directly.

Cheers,

Steve

Department of Earth & Ocean Sciences
University of Liverpool
4 Brownlow Street
Liverpool
L69 3GP
UK

0151 794 5163/5164

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