Processing of Korolevo samples aimed at AMS determination of in situ¹⁰Be and ²⁶Al nuclides and their purity control using follow-up mass spectrometry scans

The sample preparation and evaluation of the effects of impurities on the determination of Be-10 and Al-26 by accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) was performed as an initial part of research project determining the timing of early hominin occupation at Korolevo, western Ukraine. The rock samples analysed exhibited various levels of weathering, lithology, and mass. The follow-up mass spectrometry scans revealed Ti impurity in BeO targets which stimulated quantification of Ti in quartz concentrate. The Al-26 to Be-10 ratios were independent on Ti and Al impurity for samples from the same depositional level. AMS Be current reduction was a function of BeO dilution by TiO2 molecules.