A synthesis of marine sediment core delta C data over the last 150 000 years

Oliver, K.I.C., Hoogakker, B.A.A., Crowhurst, S., Henderson, G.M., Rickaby, R.E.M., Edwards, N.R. and Elderfield, H. (2010) A synthesis of marine sediment core delta C data over the last 150 000 years. Climate of the Past, 6 (5), 645-673. (doi:10.5194/cp-6-645-2010).

Abstract

The isotopic composition of carbon, ?13C, in seawater is used in reconstructions of ocean circulation, marine productivity, air-sea gas exchange, and biosphere carbon storage. Here, a synthesis of ?13C measurements taken from foraminifera in marine sediment cores over the last 150 000 years is presented. The dataset comprises previously published and unpublished data from benthic and planktonic records throughout the global ocean. Data are placed on a common ?18O age scale suitable for examining orbital timescale variability but not millennial events, which are removed by a 10 ka filter. Error estimates account for the resolution and scatter of the original data, and uncertainty in the relationship between ?13C of calcite and of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in seawater. This will assist comparison with ?13C of DIC output from models, which can be further improved using model outputs such as temperature, DIC concentration, and alkalinity to improve estimates of fractionation during calcite formation.

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