Geomagnetic field intensity, North Atlantic Deep Water circulation and atmospheric Δ 14C during the last 50 kyr

Abstract

We present simulated records of past changes in the atmospheric Δ 14C for the last 50 kyr due to changes in geomagnetic field intensity and in the strength of the North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW). A new geomagnetic record was used, largely based on the NAPIS-75 record [Laj et al., Phil. Trans. R. Soc. London A 358 (2000) 1009–1025] which has been extended for the 0–20 kyr interval using archeomagnetic and volcanic data. Past changes of the NADW were derived from a mineral magnetic study of the cores used in the construction of NAPIS-75. Two box models of different complexity (4 and 17 boxes) were used to simulate the carbon cycle. Calculated records of Δ 14C are consistent with experimental determinations for the last 24 kyr. For older ages, the records calculated with variable oceanic circulation conditions reach values as high as 600‰ (with an average of 500‰) between 20 and 40 kyr with maxima around 21, 30 and 38 kyr (GISP2 age model), while low values are observed prior to 42 kyr. Although large inconsistencies in experimental data preclude precise comparison, the average record simulated with the 17-box model is overall consistent with the Icelandic Sea record [Voelker et al., Radiocarbon 40 (1998) 517–534; 42 (2000) 437–452], except for the extremely high peak observed in this record at 40.5 kyr. On the other hand, the results recently reported from a stalagmite recovered from a submerged cave in the Bahamas [Beck et al., Science 292 (2001) 2453–2458] are inconsistent with all our model simulations. In the 20–45 kyr interval, the improved geomagnetic record combined with the new NADW profile allows us to give a modeled evaluation of the relative contribution of these factors to changes in atmospheric Δ 14C. The average simulation provides a first order modeled correction for conventional radiocarbon ages older than 25 kyr for which no calibration curve is available as yet.