Danthu Pascal

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Danthu
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Pascal
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  • Article
    Radiocarbon investigation of a superlative Grandidier Baobab, the Big Reniala of Isosa
    (Universitatis Babes-Bolyai, Department of Chemistry, 2019) Patrut, Roxana T. ; Patrut, Adrian ; Pock-Tsy, Jean-Michel Leong ; Woodborne, Stephan ; Rakosy, Laszlo ; Danthu, Pascal ; Ratiu, Ileana-Andreea ; Bodis, Jeno ; von Reden, Karl F.
    The article discloses the accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) radiocarbon dating results of the Big Reniala of Isosa, which is a massive Grandidier baobab (Adansonia grandidieri Baill.) of Madagascar. The investigation of this baobab shows that it consists of 5 perfectly fused stems and exhibits a cluster structure. The calculated wood volume of the tree is 540 m3, which makes the Big Reniala of Isosa the largest individual of all Adansonia species and also the biggest known angiosperm in terms of volume. Several samples were collected from the outer part of the stems. The oldest dated sample had a radiocarbon date of 934 ± 24 BP, which corresponds to a calibrated age of 845 ± 25 years. This value indicates an age of 1000 ± 100 years for the big Reniala of Isosa.
  • Article
    Searching for the oldest baobab of Madagascar : radiocarbon investigation of large Adansonia rubrostipa trees
    (Public Library of Science, 2015-03-25) Patrut, Adrian ; von Reden, Karl F. ; Danthu, Pascal ; Pock-Tsy, Jean-Michel Leong ; Patrut, Roxana T. ; Lowy, Daniel A.
    We extended our research on the architecture, growth and age of trees belonging to the genus Adansonia, by starting to investigate large individuals of the most widespread Malagasy species. Our research also intends to identify the oldest baobabs of Madagascar. Here we present results of the radiocarbon investigation of the two most representative Adansonia rubrostipa (fony baobab) specimens, which are located in south-western Madagascar, in the Tsimanampetsotse National Park. We found that the fony baobab called “Grandmother” consists of 3 perfectly fused stems of different ages. The radiocarbon date of the oldest sample was found to be 1136 ± 16 BP. We estimated that the oldest part of this tree, which is mainly hollow, has an age close to 1,600 yr. This value is comparable to the age of the oldest Adansonia digitata (African baobab) specimens. By its age, the Grandmother is a major candidate for the oldest baobab of Madagascar. The second investigated specimen, called the “polygamous baobab”, consists of 6 partially fused stems of different ages. According to dating results, this fony baobab is 1,000 yr old. This research is the first investigation of the structure and age of Malagasy baobabs.
  • Article
    Radiocarbon dating of the historic grand baobab of Mahajanga, Madagascar
    (Studia Chemia, 2023-01-09) Patrut, Adrian ; Patrut, Roxana T. ; Rakosy, Laszlo ; Ratiu, Ileana Andreea ; Danthu, Pascal ; Leong Pock Tsy, Jean-Michel ; Von Reden, Karl F.
    The article reports the AMS (accelerator mass spectrometry) radiocarbon investigation of the historic Grand Baobab of Mahajanga. The largest African baobab of Madagascar exhibits a cluster structure, which consists of 6 fused ordinary stems and of 3 small binding stems. Two samples were collected from the largest stem and from a primary branch, out of which several tiny segments were extracted and dated by radiocarbon. The oldest dated sample segment had a radiocarbon date of 214 [+ or -] 17 BP, which corresponds to a calibrated age of 265 [+ or -] 25 calendar years. The dating results indicate that the Grand Baobab of Mahajanga is 275 [+ or -] 25 years old. Keywords: AMS radiocarbon dating, Adansonia digitata, dendrochronology, Madagascar, age determination, multiple stems.
  • Article
    AMS radiocarbon dating of large za baobabs (Adansonia za) of Madagascar
    (Public Library of Science, 2016-01-13) Patrut, Adrian ; Patrut, Roxana T. ; Danthu, Pascal ; Pock-Tsy, Jean-Michel Leong ; Rakosy, Laszlo ; Lowy, Daniel A. ; von Reden, Karl F.
    The article reports the radiocarbon investigation of Anzapalivoro, the largest za baobab (Adansonia za) specimen of Madagascar and of another za, namely the Big cistern baobab. Several wood samples collected from the large inner cavity and from the outer part/exterior of the tree were investigated by AMS (accelerator mass spectrometry) radiocarbon dating. For samples collected from the cavity walls, the age values increase with the distance into the wood up to a point of maximum age, after which the values decrease toward the outer part. This anomaly of age sequences indicates that the inner cavity of Anzapalivoro is a false cavity, practically an empty space between several fused stems disposed in a ring-shaped structure. The radiocarbon date of the oldest sample was 780 ± 30 bp, which corresponds to a calibrated age of around 735 yr. Dating results indicate that Anzapalivoro has a closed ring-shaped structure, which consists of 5 fused stems that close a false cavity. The oldest part of the biggest za baobab has a calculated age of 900 years. We also disclose results of the investigation of a second za baobab, the Big cistern baobab, which was hollowed out for water storage. This specimen, which consists of 4 fused stems, was found to be around 260 years old.