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A 200 year record of carbon‐13 and carbon‐14 variations in a Bermuda coral
Author(s) -
Nozaki Y.,
Rye D. M.,
Turekian K. K.,
Dodge R. E.
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/gl005i010p00825
Subject(s) - coral , upwelling , oceanography , environmental science , period (music) , carbon fibers , geology , physics , materials science , composite number , acoustics , composite material
A 200 year old brain coral, captured in Bermuda in 1976 was slabbed and x‐rayed. Using the annual growth bands sequential, dated samples were taken over the entire growth period of the coral and analyzed for Δ 14 C, δ 13 C and δ 18 O. During the past 80 years atmospheric variations in Δ 14 C and δ 13 C due to human effects, such as release of bomb C‐14 and dilution of both C‐14 and C‐13 by fossil fuel burning, are closely tracked by the coral. Prior to 1900 divergences between the coral and tree Δ 14 C and δ 13 C can be related to world‐wide changes in plant production and possibly oceanic upwelling rates.