BASF Podcast: The Chemical Reporter - What is the Radiocarbon Dating Method?

LUDWIGSHAFEN, Germany - All organisms - plants, animals, human beings - need carbon to survive. In the air, the element can be found in the commonly occurring compound carbon dioxide (CO2). Plants absorb CO2 and turn it into carbohydrates. We in turn absorb these carbohydrates when we eat the plants. And when we breathe out, we then release carbon dioxide back into the air. All of these steps together make up the ‘carbon cycle’. The moment an organism dies, this cycle is broken. And even thousands of years later, that moment can be dated using the radiocarbon dating method. In entertaining episodes our Chemical Reporter answers questions of our Podcast listeners on Chemistry in our everyday life.

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Podcast Chemistry of Innovations: www.basf.com/podcast

This podcast is the audible innovation magazine of BASF. Discover every month how Chemistry can help to shape our future. The actual episode is on “Option for Climate Protection - Gas Scrubbing captures CO2 from Flue Gases”.

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BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics and performance products to agricultural products, fine chemicals as well as oil and gas. As a reliable partner BASF helps its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF posted sales of more than EUR62 billion in 2008 and had approximately 97,000 employees as of the end of the year. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.

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Editorial contact: For the UK: BASF plc Chris Wilson Corporate Communications Phone: +44-161-488-5616 Fax: +44-161-488-4133 E-Mail: chris.wilson@basf.com For the US: BASF Corporation Betsy Arnone Corporate Communications Phone: +1-973-245-7865 Fax: +1-973-245-6714 E-Mail: betsy.arnone@basf.com For Germany/Europe: BASF SE Rainer Mueller-Mueffelmann Envirronmental Policy & Innovation Phone: +49-621-60-41040 Fax: +49-621-60-20548 E-Mail: podcast@basf.com

Source: BASF SE

Editorial contact: For the UK: BASF plc, Chris Wilson, Corporate Communications, Phone: +44-161-488-5616, Fax: +44-161-488-4133, E-Mail: chris.wilson at basf.com; For the US: BASF Corporation, Betsy Arnone, Corporate Communications, Phone: +1-973-245-7865, Fax: +1-973-245-6714, E-Mail: betsy.arnone at basf.com; For Germany/Europe: BASF SE, Rainer Mueller-Mueffelmann, Envirronmental Policy & Innovation, Phone: +49-621-60-41040, Fax: +49-621-60-20548, E-Mail: podcast at basf.com