Carbon abundance measurements in oceanic basalts: the need for a consensus

Large systematic discrepancies currently exist among the carbon data reported for oceanic basalts by different laboratories. These discrepancies are likely attributable both to non-uniform criteria for the removal of carbon contamination from the samples, and to systematic errors in analytical procedures. In order to solve these problems, investigators must agree upon effective criteria for the removal of carbon contamination, and they must create an accurately calibrated set of basaltic glass carbon standards.