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Observations of radiocarbon in CO2 at seven global sampling sites in the Scripps flask network: Analysis of spatial gradients and seasonal cycles

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Graven, Heather D., Guilderson, Thomas P., Keeling, Ralph F.·2012·Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres
DOI 10.1029/2011jd016535
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Abstract

High precision measurements of Δ 14 C were conducted for monthly samples of CO 2 from seven global stations over 2‐ to 16‐year periods ending in 2007. Mean Δ 14 C over 2005–07 in the Northern Hemisphere was 5 ‰ lower than Δ 14 C in the Southern Hemisphere, similar to recent observations from I. Levin. This is a significant shift from 1988–89 when Δ 14 C in the Northern Hemisphere was slightly higher than the South. The influence of fossil fuel CO 2 emission and transport was simulated for each of the observation sites by the TM3 atmospheric transport model and compared to other models that participated in the Transcom 3 Experiment. The simulated interhemispheric gradient caused by fossil fuel CO 2 emissions was nearly the same in both 1988–89 and 2005–07, due to compensating effects from rising emissions and decreasing sensitivity of Δ 14 C to fossil fuel CO 2. The observed 5 ‰ shift must therefore have been caused by non‐fossil influences, most likely due to changes in the air‐sea 14 C flux in the Southern Ocean. Seasonal cycles with higher Δ 14 C in summer or fall were evident at most stations, with largest amplitudes observed at Point Barrow (71°N) and La Jolla (32°N). Fossil fuel emissions do not account for the seasonal cycles of Δ 14 C in either hemisphere, indicating strong contributions from non‐fossil influences, most likely from stratosphere‐troposphere exchange.

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  • Short-lived sample material from Akrotiri likely offers dates within ~0-2 years of the find context, and other short to shorter-lived sample material will not include more than a few years of in-built age.

    “In view of what is known of traditional and ancient agricultural practices and storage at Akrotiri [125, 141, 142], the short-lived sample material likely offers dates within ~0-2 years of the find context and other short to shorter-lived sample material (animal bones from likely use as food, twigs, branches and outermost tree-rings) will not include more than a few years of in-built age.”

    From Second Intermediate Period date for the Thera (Santorini) eruption and historical implications (2022) · cites this paper as [125]

    The supplied passages from Appendix B are tables of modern atmospheric CO₂ and radiocarbon measurements, not evidence about archaeological samples. Searches for Akrotiri, in-built age, ancient storage practices, and the listed sample materials found no passage addressing whether their dates fall within 0–2 years of the find context or carry only a few years of in-built age. (LLM, conf=0.78)

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Cited by

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Authors
Graven, H. D., Guilderson, T. P., & Keeling, R. F.
Affiliations
  • Scripps Institution of Oceanography (US)
  • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (US)
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres
Publisher
American Geophysical Union (AGU)
Published
2012-01-25
Volume
117
Issue
D2
ISSN
0148-0227 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1029/2011jd016535
OpenAlex
W1998725475
Cited by
84
References
2
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 17 · 2012: 1
FWCI
6.56
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor)
Locations
Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres (publishedVersion)
Funders
National Science Foundation (0632770)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Global and Planetary Change › Atmospheric and Environmental Gas Dynamics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Global and Planetary Change › Climate variability and models
  • Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Geochemistry and Petrology › Groundwater and Isotope Geochemistry
Keywords
carbon-14, atmospheric CO2, interhemispheric gradient, fossil fuel CO2 emissions, stratosphere-troposphere exchange, seasonal cycle, Northern Hemisphere, Southern Hemisphere

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