Environmental History:Kamen, Martin David
Published: September 8, 2006, 5:42 pm
Updated: September 8, 2006, 5:42 pm
This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor:
Peter Saundry
Martin David Kamen, (1913–2002), a Canadian-born American biochemist who discovered carbon-14, the radioactive isotope of carbon used to trace biochemical pathways and mechanisms and to date archeological and anthropological objects. He also carried out extensive research in photosynthesis. Kamen used the isotope oxygen-18 to trace the chemical's role in the process, confirming that that the oxygen created during photosynthesis comes only from the water molecules. Unfortunately, much of his energy at this time was diverted to non-scientific matters; a successful but protracted libel suit against the Chicago Tribune, which falsely accused him of being a communist, as well as a successful, 7-year battle to recover his passport, which had been rescinded by the U.S. government.
Further Reading
Martin Kamen, Who Discovered Carbon-14, Wins Fermi Award (U. S. Department of Energy, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory)
The Enrico Fermi Award - Martin D. Kamen, 1995 (U. S. Department of Energy, Office of Science)
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Citation
Cutler J. Cleveland (Lead Author);Peter Saundry (Topic Editor) "Kamen, Martin David". In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). [First published in the Encyclopedia of Earth September 8, 2006; Last revised Date September 8, 2006; Retrieved May 24, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Kamen,_Martin_David?topic=49487>
The Author
Cutler J. Cleveland is Professor of Earth and Environment at Boston University, where he also is on the faculty of the Center for Energy and Environmental Studies. Professor Cleveland is Editor-in-Chief of the Encyclopedia of Energy (Elsevier, 2004), winner of an American Library Association award, the Dictionary of Energy (Elsevier, 2005), Handbook of Energy (Elsevier, forthcoming), and is the Founding Editor-in-Chief of the Encyclopedia of Earth. He is the recipient of the Adelma ... (Full Bio)
Martin David Kamen, (1913–2002), a Canadian-born American biochemist who discovered carbon-14, the radioactive isotope of carbon used to trace biochemical pathways and mechanisms and to date archeological and anthropological objects. He also carried out extensive research in photosynthesis. Kamen used the isotope oxygen-18 to trace the chemical's role in the process, confirming that that the oxygen created during photosynthesis comes only from the water molecules. Unfortunately, much of his energy at this time was diverted to non-scientific matters; a successful but protracted libel suit against the Chicago Tribune, which falsely accused him of being a communist, as well as a successful, 7-year battle to recover his passport, which had been rescinded by the U.S. government.
Further Reading
Martin Kamen, Who Discovered Carbon-14, Wins Fermi Award (U. S. Department of Energy, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory)
The Enrico Fermi Award - Martin D. Kamen, 1995 (U. S. Department of Energy, Office of Science)
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