Stable isotope constraints on Holocene carbon cycle changes from an Antarctic ice core
Abstract
Reconstructions of atmospheric CO(2) concentrations based on Antarctic ice cores reveal significant changes during the Holocene epoch, but the processes responsible for these changes in CO(2) concentrations have not been unambiguously identified. Distinct characteristics in the carbon isotope signatures of the major carbon reservoirs (ocean, biosphere, sediments and atmosphere) constrain variations in the CO(2) fluxes between those reservoirs. Here we present a highly resolved atmospheric delta(13)C record for the past 11,000 years from measurements on atmospheric CO(2) trapped in an Antarctic ice core. From mass-balance inverse model calculations performed with a simplified carbon cycle model, we show that the decrease in atmospheric CO(2) of about 5 parts per million by volume (p.p.m.v.). The increase in delta(13)C of about 0.25 per thousand during the early Holocene is most probably the result of a combination of carbon uptake of about 290 gigatonnes of carbon by the land biosphere and carbon release from the ocean in response to carbonate compensation of the terrestrial uptake during the termination of the last ice age. The 20 p.p.m.v. increase of atmospheric CO(2) and the small decrease in delta(13)C of about 0.05 per thousand during the later Holocene can mostly be explained by contributions from carbonate compensation of earlier land-biosphere uptake and coral reef formation, with only a minor contribution from a small decrease of the land-biosphere carbon inventory.
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During the Late Pleistocene-Early Holocene, atmospheric CO2 preserved in Antarctic glacial ice showed a stepped 70 ppm rise over 6,000 years, an average rise of 1 ppm per ~85 years.
“During the Late Pleistocene -Early Holocene, atmospheric CO2 preserved in air bubbles within glacial ice in Antarctica showed a stepped 70 ppm rise over 6,000 years ( 66, 67 ); an average rise of 1ppm per ~85 years.”
From The Anthropocene is functionally and stratigraphically distinct from the Holocene (2016) · cites this paper as [66]
The introductory passage describes Antarctic ice-core CO2 reconstructions and identifies the transition from the last glacial maximum to the Holocene as 18–11 kyr BP. It does not report a stepped 70 ppm rise over 6,000 years or the claimed average rate of 1 ppm per approximately 85 years; its quantified changes concern the Holocene or typical glacial–interglacial differences. (LLM, conf=0.83)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThe Antarctic ice core record shows steady enrichment in δ13C values from Late Pleistocene to Mid-Holocene time, reflecting carbon uptake by the terrestrial biosphere and carbon release from oceans.
“The Antarctic ice core record shows steady enrichment in δ 13 C values from Late Pleistocene to Mid-Holocene time ( 66, 67 ), reflecting carbon uptake by the terrestrial biosphere and carbon release from oceans ( 66 ; Fig. 5A)”
From The Anthropocene is functionally and stratigraphically distinct from the Holocene (2016) · cites this paper as [66]
The paper’s carbon-isotope record describes an almost linear δ13C increase from 11 to 6 kyr BP, and its opening summary says this was most probably due to land-biosphere carbon uptake and ocean carbon release. But it defines 11 kyr BP as the start of the Holocene and says its record needs extension into the glacial period; it does not establish enrichment beginning in the Late Pleistocene. The supplied passages do not provide page numbers. (LLM, conf=0.87)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThe Antarctic ice core record shows no changes at the proposed Mid- and Late Holocene Sub-epoch boundaries.
“but shows no changes at the proposed Mid- and Late Holocene Sub-epoch boundaries.”
From The Anthropocene is functionally and stratigraphically distinct from the Holocene (2016) · cites this paper as [66]
The paper’s carbon-isotope record describes an almost linear increase from 11 to 6 kyr BP, followed by a small decrease, rather than distinct shifts. It does not identify or assess the proposed Mid- and Late Holocene Sub-epoch boundaries specifically, so the claim about both boundaries is more precise than the source supports (main text, page not specified). (LLM, conf=0.79)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredSubsequent Holocene CO2 concentrations remained approximately stable, with a very slow rise of 260 to 285 ppm from ~9000 B.P.
“Subsequent Holocene CO2 concentrations remained approximately stable, a very slow rise of 260 to 285 ppm from ~9000 B.P. (Fig. 5A) being ascribed to early human agriculture by some ( 3 ), albeit controversially ( 66 ).”
From The Anthropocene is functionally and stratigraphically distinct from the Holocene (2016) · cites this paper as [66]
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- Authors
- Elsig, J., Schmitt, J., Leuenberger, D., Schneider, R., Eyer, M., Leuenberger, M., Joos, F., Fischer, H., & Stocker, T. F.
- Affiliations
- University of Bern (CH)
- Corresponding author
- Stocker, Thomas F.
- Venue
- Nature
- Published
- 2009-09
- Volume
- 461
- Issue
- 7263
- Pages
- 507-510
- ISSN
- 0028-0836 (ISSN-L)
- 1476-4687
- OpenAlex
- W1969688566
- Cited by
- 219
- References
- 29
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 29 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 17 · 2015: 12 · 2014: 14 · 2013: 28 · 2012: 13
- FWCI
- 11.11
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- Nature (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar-und Meeresforschung (Alfred-Wegener-Institut) (acceptedVersion)
- RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
- BORIS (University Library Bern) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- National Science Foundation
- European Commission
- European Science Foundation
- Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
- Institut Polaire Français Paul Emile Victor
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Atmospheric Science › Geology and Paleoclimatology Research
- 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
- Keywords
- atmospheric CO2, carbon isotopes, δ13C, EPICA Dome C ice core, Antarctic ice cores, coral reef formation, carbon cycle models, deglaciation, carbon pools, carbon flux, paleoatmosphere
- MeSH terms
- Air, Animals, Antarctic Regions, Atmosphere, Carbon, Carbon Dioxide, Carbon Isotopes, Climate, Time Factors, Ecosystem, Anthozoa, Ice Cover, History, Ancient
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