Dissolved inorganic radiocarbon in the North Pacific Ocean and Sargasso Sea

Abstract

We present radiocarbon measurements of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in depth profiles from reoccupations of our central North Pacific Ocean and Sargasso Sea (SS) sites. From 1985 to 1999, an increase in Delta C-14 values of 6-17 parts per thousand was measured between 1150 and 2400m depth in the North Central Pacific. Natural changes in deep circulation are likely responsible for variability of Delta C-14 signatures in the deep ocean, though we cannot rule out the presence of bomb C-14 at this depth range. Bomb C-14 had increased in the deep SS from 1989 to 2000; this is the result of southward transport of North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW) to this site. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.