Spatial variability of bomb C-14 in an upland peat bog

Hardie, S.L., Garnett, M.H., Fallick, A.E., Rowland, A.P. and Ostle, N.J. (2007) Spatial variability of bomb C-14 in an upland peat bog. Radiocarbon, 49(2), pp. 1055-1063.

Abstract

As part of a study investigating the carbon balance of a blanket bog, we made an assessment of the spatial variation of radiocarbon concentrations in the surface layers of a small area of peatland in the north of England. The peat depth at which bomb-14C content was the highest varied considerably between cores sampled from across the site. At several sampling locations, 14C levels >100% Modern were confined to the surface 8 cm, whereas bomb 14C was evident at 1 site, located only meters away, to a depth of at least 1216 cm. Using the layer where 14C levels first exceeded 100% Modern as a chronological reference layer, we estimated the carbon accumulation rate over the last 50 yr for the surface peat at each site (range ~20 to ~125 g C m2 yr1). Our results show that although carbon accumulation over the last 50 yr was similar across the site, variation in the depth to which bomb 14C was evident implied considerable variation in the vertical peat growth rate.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Garnett, Dr Mark and Fallick, Professor Anthony
• Authors: Hardie, S.L., Garnett, M.H., Fallick, A.E., Rowland, A.P., and Ostle, N.J.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre
• Journal Name: Radiocarbon
• ISSN: 0033-8222