Reservoir Ages in the Western Tropical North Atlantic from One Coral Off Martinique (Lesser Antilles)

Publication type

Journal Article

Research Area

Tectonics

Abstract

Sea surface reservoir ages (R) are reported from radiocarbon (C-14) measurements of the annual growth bands of coral Siderastrea siderea collected on the Atlantic coast off Martinique Island, in the Lesser Antilles volcanic arc. Mean values of R are similar between 1835 and 1845 during pre-anthropogenic times at 385 +/- 30 yr and between 1895 and 1905 at 382 +/- 20 yr when there was a huge eruption from the Montagne Pelee volcano in 1902-1903. Limited C-14 aging of sea surface (similar to 40 yr) may be due to enhanced volcanic activity. Variability of R is slightly greater during 1835-1845 than during 1895-1905. It is linked to a moderate increase of Delta C-14 of 5 parts per thousand, strengthened by a clear increase of O-18 of delta 0.4 parts per thousand. This is attributed to a decrease of the northward advection of the South Atlantic Waters into the western tropical North Atlantic and Caribbean Sea and relative enhanced westward flux of the tropical North Atlantic surface waters, the southern waters having lower values of C-14 and delta O-18 than the North Atlantic ones. From 1835 to 1845, the fraction of the South Atlantic Waters transported up to Martinique Island was reduced from 25% to 15%.

Publication Details

Journal

Radiocarbon

Volume

60

Issue

2

Pagination

639-652

Date Published

04/2018

Identifiers

Subscribe to the EOS Newsletter

Stay in touch with the latest news, events, research, and publications from the Earth Observatory of Singapore.

Email is required

Email is wrong format

You Can Make a Difference

Partner with us to make an impact and create safer, more sustainable societies throughout Southeast Asia.
Make A Gift