The difference in radiocarbon age between atmospheric CO2 and dissolved inorganic carbon in marine surface water (reservoir age) can be used as an indicator of coastal ocean circulation and upwelling. The determination of reservoir ages for coastal marine localities is also necessary for accurate radiocarbon dating of marine carbonates.
The pre-industrial reservoir age for Gulf of Maine and Middle Atlantic Bight surface waters has been determined by AMS 14C dating mollusk shells of known age from museum collections. The 14C date determined for each specimen is adjusted for radioactive decay since the date of collection and for dilution by fossil fuel derived carbon (Suess effect). Approximately 40 mollusk shells were 14C dated and show a mean reservoir age of 600 years (D = -65‰). These data produce a more complete picture of reservoir ages for Northeastern US coast and imply a significant amount of upwelled water to the region.
See more of Reservoir Age Variability in the Marine Environment
See more of The 10th International Conference on Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (September 5-10, 2005)