Radiocarbon Concentration in Pacific Ocean Water

Abstract

Results of C¹⁴ determinations in surface water from the Pacific were in agreement with those reported by Rafter and Fergusson. However, abnormal C¹⁴ concentrations seem to exist locally, for which no oceanographic explanation can be given. It seems premature to draw conclusions from existing determinations as to the rate of increase of C¹⁴ in surface ocean water resulting from the uptake of C¹⁴ produced in the atmosphere by atomic bombs. Samples from a constant depth of about 3,500 meters show a C¹⁴ content decreasing from south to north. This decrease may be attributed to radioactive decay of C¹⁴ during the time of migration. From this the northward component of the rate of water movement of about 0.06 cm/sec can be calculated. The C¹³ determinations, for the purpose of correcting the C¹⁴ values for isotope fractionation effects, were found to be remarkably consistent, although made on reburned acetylene. DOI: 10.1111/j.2153-3490.1960.tb01330.x