Tracing bomb 14C in the atmosphere 1962–1980

Abstract

When the ever greater series of nuclear tests were exposed to the atmosphere at higher northern latitudes during 1961 and 1962, an attempt was made at this laboratory to trace the distribution of bomb‐produced 14 C down to lower latitudes and into the ocean surface. Several ground level stations were established for this purpose in the early 1960's, from Spitsbergen (78°N) to Madagascar (21°S) Measurements were also gradually extended to the ocean surface. The tropospheric measurements which partly have been performed during the last 18 years have proved to be important for testing exchange models for industrial CO 2 in the atmosphere and more generally for studying the carbon cycle in nature. The present paper includes tables of all the atmospheric 14 C data measured at this laboratory during 18 years. Several graphs are also included and a description of sampling locations and contamination problems. The paper is an answer to those who want to use the data in their own modeling research.