Variability in Radiocarbon Ages of Individual Organic Compounds from Marine Sediments

Organic carbon (OC) from multiple sources can be delivered contemporaneously to aquatic sediments. The influence of different OC inputs on carbon-14-based sediment chronologies is illustrated in the carbon-14 ages of purified, source-specific (biomarker) organic compounds from near-surface sediments...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 1997-08, Vol.277 (5327), p.796-799
Main Authors: Eglinton, Timothy I., Benitez-Nelson, Bryan C., Pearson, Ann, McNichol, Ann P., Bauer, James E., Ellen R. M. Druffel
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alkanes
Alkenes
Biological markers
Carbon
Carbon dating
Chemistry
Earth sciences
Earth, ocean, space
Exact sciences and technology
Fossils
Geochronology
Geology
Hydrocarbons
Isotope geochemistry. Geochronology
Isotopes
Marine
Marine and continental quaternary
Marine geology
Marine sediments
Molecular Structure
Organic Chemistry
Organic geochemistry
Radiocarbon
Scientific Concepts
Sea water
Seas
Sediments
Surficial geology
Water
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Summary:Organic carbon (OC) from multiple sources can be delivered contemporaneously to aquatic sediments. The influence of different OC inputs on carbon-14-based sediment chronologies is illustrated in the carbon-14 ages of purified, source-specific (biomarker) organic compounds from near-surface sediments underlying two contrasting marine systems, the Black Sea and the Arabian Sea. In the Black Sea, isotopic heterogeneity of n-alkanes indicated that OC was contributed from both fossil and contemporary sources. Compounds reflecting different source inputs to the Arabian Sea exhibit a 10,000-year range in conventional carbon-14 ages. Radiocarbon measurements of biomarkers of marine photoautotrophy enable sediment chronologies to be constructed independent of detrital OC influences.
ISSN:0036-8075
1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.277.5327.796