Radiocarbon constraints on the extent and evolution of the South Pacific glacial carbon pool
Ronge, T.A.; Tiedemann, R.; Lamy, F.; Köhler, P.; Alloway, B.V.; De Pol-Holz, R.; Pahnke, K.; Southon, J.; Wacker, L. (2016). Radiocarbon constraints on the extent and evolution of the South Pacific glacial carbon pool. Nature Comm. 7(11487): 11 pp. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ncomms11487
In: Nature Communications. Nature Publishing Group: London. ISSN 2041-1723; e-ISSN 2041-1723, more
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| Authors | | Top |
- Ronge, T.A.
- Tiedemann, R.
- Lamy, F.
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- Köhler, P.
- Alloway, B.V.
- De Pol-Holz, R.
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- Pahnke, K.
- Southon, J.
- Wacker, L.
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| Abstract |
During the last deglaciation, the opposing patterns of atmospheric CO2 and radiocarbon activities (Delta C-14) suggest the release of C-14-depleted CO2 from old carbon reservoirs. Although evidences point to the deep Pacific as a major reservoir of this C-14-depleted carbon, its extent and evolution still need to be constrained. Here we use sediment cores retrieved along a South Pacific transect to reconstruct the spatio-temporal evolution of Delta C-14 over the last 30,000 years. In similar to 2,500-3,600 m water depth, we find C-14-depleted deep waters with a maximum glacial offset to atmospheric (14)(C) (Delta Delta C-14 = -1,000%). Using a box model, we test the hypothesis that these low values might have been caused by an interaction of aging and hydrothermal CO2 influx. We observe a rejuvenation of circumpolar deep waters synchronous and potentially contributing to the initial deglacial rise in atmospheric CO2. These findings constrain parts of the glacial carbon pool to the deep South Pacific. |
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