Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Uproar After NC State Agent 'Fixes' Girl's Lunch Preschooler has to eat chicken nuggets instead of mom's meal »

Nuke Tests Left Mark on Trees, People

Scientists can date humans and trees by the extra carbon in their systems

By Rebecca Smith Hurd,  Newser User

Posted Nov 16, 2008 4:04 PM CST

(Newser) – Scientists can now carbon-date baby boomers by detecting atomic bomb residue in their DNA, NPR reports. Turns out that carbon-14 released during above-ground nuclear tests in the 1950s and '60s hung around, then was absorbed into living tissue, experts say. Evidence, in the form of extra carbon neutrons, has been found in humans and trees that were alive between 1954 and 1963.

“I know that all the wood that grew after [the carbon spike] that had to be after 1954,” says one botanist, who says the same is true of all trees worldwide. Another scientist says the same phenomenon occurs in human brain cells. A high carbon-14 count means that you—and your favorite shade tree—were alive during the age of atomic testing.

Characteristic mushroom shaped cloud begins formation after the first H-Bomb explosion at Eniwetok Atoll in the Pacific, Nov. 6, 1952.
Characteristic mushroom shaped cloud begins formation after the first H-Bomb explosion at Eniwetok Atoll in the Pacific, Nov. 6, 1952.   (Getty Images)
In this photo provided by the U.S. Department of Energy, the Hanford nuclear reservation's B Reactor is shown in this aerial file photo taken in the mid-1940s, near Richland, Wash.
In this photo provided by the U.S. Department of Energy, the Hanford nuclear reservation's B Reactor is shown in this aerial file photo taken in the mid-1940s, near Richland, Wash.   (AP Photo/U.S. Department of Energy, File)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

This cloud of carbon-14 went round and round and round the Earth and was persistent for quite a while. - Nadlini Nadkarni, ecologist at Evergreen State College in Washington

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
Guest
Nov 17, 2008 1:53 AM CST
Super, I am always looking for that one nice thought to put me to sleep at night ! Good thing cause I am now hoping the nuke residue in my body will offset the drug residue I have been drinking in my tap water. This is the kind of thing that will be in the news in another 25 years . Nuke tests residue responsible for autism or something. I am sure the government will tell me right away if anything develops. Just like I am sure that PIGS fly. Now if I can only get rid of that cancer. Well sleep tight .
Guest
Nov 16, 2008 8:14 PM CST
wow, amazing story
Shannonals
Nov 16, 2008 5:55 AM CST
Great, just great

More Newser Stories

Calif. Scientists Trim Forest, Create 'Carbon Bank'


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne