NATURAL RADIOCARBON IN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN

Author: Broecker, W. S.
Published: United States : [publisher not identified], 1960.
[Oak Ridge, Tennessee] : [U.S. Atomic Energy Commission], 1960.
Physical Description: microopaque : positive ; 8 x 13 cm
Additional Creators: Ewing, M., Gerard, R., and Heezen, Bruce C.

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Summary

By the use of suitable chemical and radiochemical techniques the natural radiocarbon concentration in the dissolved bicarbonate of 133 samples representing the major water masses of the Atlantic Ocean was determined with a precision ranging from 0.5 to 1.3%. Measurable differences exist between the major water masses, the total range in C/sup 14//C/sup 12/ ratio being about 10%. The surface water results show a progressive increase from south to north, ranging from 120 per mil lower than the atmospheric value in the Antarctic to 49 per mil lower in the North Atlantic. Deep water masses originating in the high latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere have consistently lower C/sup 14//C/sup 12/ ratios than those originating in the high latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere. A layer of high C/sup 14//C/sup 12/ ratio water found between 1200 and 2400 meters depth in the Western North Atlantic may well represent a wedge of young water penetrating the older North Atlantic deep water. A circulation model explaining the prominent features of the C/sup 14/ distributions in the atmosphere-ocean system was developed. (W.L.H.)

Report Numbers

TID-5735; CU-7-60-AT-(30-1)-18

Other Subject(s)

Collection

U.S. Atomic Energy Commission depository collection.

Note

DOE contract number: AT(30-1)-1808
NSA number: NSA-14-012774
OSTI Identifier 4175268
Research organization: Columbia Univ., Palisades, N.Y. Lamont Geological Observatory.

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