Radiocarbon in Particulate Matter from the Eastern Sub-Arctic Pacific Ocean: Evidence of a Source of Terrestrial Carbon to the Deep Sea

Carbon isotope ratios were measured in organic and inorganic carbon of settling particulate matter collected with a sediment trap at Ocean Station “P” in the Gulf of Alaska from March to October, 1983. Dissolved inorganic carbon (DIG) in surface sea water collected during two different seasons in 19...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Radiocarbon
Main Authors: Druffel, Ellen R M, Honjo, Susumu, Griffin, Sheila, Wong, C S
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1986
Subjects:
General Earth and Planetary Sciences
Archeology
Arctic
Gulf of Alaska
Pacific
Alaska
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0033822200007517
https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0033822200007517
Description
Summary:Carbon isotope ratios were measured in organic and inorganic carbon of settling particulate matter collected with a sediment trap at Ocean Station “P” in the Gulf of Alaska from March to October, 1983. Dissolved inorganic carbon (DIG) in surface sea water collected during two different seasons in 1984 were analyzed using large gas proportional counters and revealed a minimum seasonal Δ 14 C variation of 14‰. Results show that the Δ 14 C of calcium carbonate scdimenting to the deep sea is the same as that measured in surface water DIC. In contrast, particulate organic carbon (POC) had significantly higher Δ 14 C values (by 25–70‰) than that in surface water DIC. Also, the δ 13 C of the POC was markedly lower than previously reported values from other trap stations and marine particulate matter in general. Results from this study suggest that a significant amount of the POC settling to the deep sea at this pelagic station is of terrestrial origin, not strictly of marine origin as had previously been believed.

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