The North Atlantic marine reservoir effect in the early Holocene: implications for defining and understanding MRE values

Ascough, P.L., Cook, G.T., Dugmore, A.J. and Scott, E.M. (2007) The North Atlantic marine reservoir effect in the early Holocene: implications for defining and understanding MRE values. Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms, 259(1), pp. 438-447. (doi: 10.1016/j.nimb.2007.01.185)

Abstract

The marine reservoir effect (MRE) is a ¹⁴C age offset between the oceanic and atmospheric carbon reservoirs. The MRE is neither spatially nor temporally constant and values may deviate significantly from the global model average provided by the Marine04 curve. Such a deviation is calculated as a ©R value and modern (pre-bomb) values show considerable spatial variations. There is also considerable evidence for temporal variability linked to paleoenvironmental changes identified in paleoclimatic proxy records. Seven new ©R values are presented for the North Atlantic, relating to the period c. 8430 3890 cal. BP (c. 6480 1940 BC). These were obtained from ¹⁴C analysis of multiple samples of terrestrial and marine material derived from seven individual archaeological deposits from Mainland Scotland, the Outer Hebrides and the Orkney Isles. The ©R values vary between 143 ± 20 14C yr and ‑100 ± 15 ¹⁴C yr with the positive values all occurring in the earlier period (8430 5060 cal. BP), and the negative values all coming from later deposits (4820 3890 cal. BP). The nature of MRE values and the potential for spatial and temporal variation in values is the subject of current research interest and these data are placed in the context of (i) other estimates for UK coastal waters and (ii) important questions concerning current approaches to quantifying the MRE.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Ascough, Dr Philippa and Cook, Professor Gordon
• Authors: Ascough, P.L., Cook, G.T., Dugmore, A.J., and Scott, E.M.
• Subjects: Q Science > QC Physics
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre
• Journal Name: Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms
• ISSN: 0168-583X
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2007 Elsevier
• First Published: First published in Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms 259(1):438-447
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher.