Project Details
Projekt
14C in speleothems
Applicant
Dr. Bernd Kromer
Subject Area
Mineralogy, Petrology and Geochemistry
Term
from 2005 to 2008
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 16276678
Using the absolute age of speleothem samples from Th/U-dating, we can determine their 14C reservoir age. The 14C reservoir age is controlled mainly by pCO2 in the unsaturated soil zone, the ratio of root respiration (with modern 14C levels) and microbial decomposition of soil organic matter (depleted in 14C due to radioactive decay). The main factors governing soil conditions are soil temperature and precipitation. Hence, variations in the 14C reservoir age provide information on the variability of these two climate variables.
DFG Programme
Research Units
