Changes in atmospheric CO2 levels recorded by the isotopic signature of n-alkanes from plants

Abstract

The isotopic signature of sedimentary organic matter acts as a tracer for past changes in the terrestrial and aquatic carbon cycles. The temporal variation in δ13C values of n-alkanes from plants was assigned as resulting from changes in atmospheric composition in the study area, due to both global and local influences. Two rises in atmospheric CO2 concentration were assigned from the variation in n-alkane δ13C values for the periods between 1600 and 1880 and from 1930 to the present. In the first period, the sources of excess CO2 were predominantly natural, mainly volcanism, while in the second period local anthropogenic emissions were the major reason.