Radiocarbon Variability in the Western North Atlantic During the Last Deglaciation

2005/11/04 by Laura F. Robinson, Jess F. Adkins, Lloyd D Keigwin +4 · 1 citation
Earth and Planetary Sciences · Environmental Science · #Geology and Paleoclimatology Research #Isotope Analysis in Ecology #Methane Hydrates and Related Phenomena

paper · doi:10.1126/science.1114832

openalex publication_date 2005/11/04 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01

Abstract

We present a detailed history of glacial to Holocene radiocarbon in the deep western North Atlantic from deep-sea corals and paired benthic-planktonic foraminifera. The deglaciation is marked by switches between radiocarbon-enriched and -depleted waters, leading to large radiocarbon gradients in the water column. These changes played an important role in modulating atmospheric radiocarbon. The deep-ocean record supports the notion of a bipolar seesaw with increased Northern-source deep-water formation linked to Northern Hemisphere warming and the reverse. In contrast, the more frequent radiocarbon variations in the intermediate/deep ocean are associated with roughly synchronous changes at the poles.

Citations

• Glacial water mass geometry and the distribution of δ 13 C of ΣCO 2 in the western Atlantic Ocean
• Abrupt increase in Greenland snow accumulation at the end of the Younger Dryas event
• Collapse and rapid resumption of Atlantic meridional circulation linked to deglacial climate changes
• Paleocean circulation during the Last Deglaciation: A bipolar seesaw?
• Intcal04 Terrestrial Radiocarbon Age Calibration, 0–26 Cal Kyr BP

Cited by

• Laura Robinson (scientist) [wikipedia]