Pre-bomb {Delta}{sup 14}C variability and the Suess Effect in Cariaco Basin Surface Waters as Recorded in Hermatypic Corals
The {Delta}{sup 14}C content of surface waters in and around the Cariaco Basin were reconstructed from {sup 14}C measurements on sub-annually sampled coral skeletal material. During the late 1930s - early 1940s surface waters within and outside of the Cariaco Basin are similar. Within the Cariaco Basin at Islas Tortugas coral {Delta}{sup 14}C averages -51.9 {+-}3.3 {per_thousand}. Corals collected outside of the basin at Boca de Medio and Los Testigos have {Delta}{sup 14}C values of -53.4 {+-} 3.3 {per_thousand} and -54.3 {+-} 2.6 respectively. Additional {sup 14}C analyses on the Isla Tortugas coral document an {approx} 11 {per_thousand} decrease between {approx}1905 (-40.9 {+-}4.5 {per_thousand}) and {approx}1940. The implied Suess Effect trend (-3 {per_thousand}/decade) is nearly as large as that observed in the atmosphere over the same time period. If we assume that there is little to no fossil fuel {sup 14}CO{sub 2} signature in Cariaco surface waters in {approx}1905, the waters have an equivalent reservoir age of {approx}312 years.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- US Department of Energy (US)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 15015883
- Report Number(s):
- UCRL-JRNL-207674; TRN: US200509%%536
- Journal Information:
- Radiocarbon, Vol. 47, Issue 1; Other Information: Publication date January 15, 2005; PDF-FILE: 22 ; SIZE: 0.4 MBYTES; PBD: 28 Oct 2004; ISSN 0033-8222
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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