Abstract
Radiocarbon content in biogenic samples is widely used to study the variation of atmospheric CO2 due to anthropogenic activities. A total of 20 samples of several types of tree leaves, were analyzed for this study. Sampling was carried out at the end of the rainy season in 2017 from the surrounding of the SOCOCIM cement factory in Rufisque town. Rufisque is located on the peninsula of Cape Verde, 25 km east of Dakar, where it is the 《south gate》 of the agglomeration. Reference samples of five different species were collected during the same period (2017) from a clean zone. The 14C method was used for the determination of Δ14C values. The data show that the 14C concentration in the studied sites was significantly lower than the clean area, due to the release of anthropogenic CO2. To estimate the Suess effect, the fossil fuel fraction was determined based on equations of mass balance for CO2 concentration, stable isotopic composition of carbon, and 14C concentration. The results show that selected locations are affected differently according to their distance from the factory and the wind direction.
Highlights
Radiocarbon (14C) is produced in the atmosphere by a reaction of neutrons with atmospheric 14N that produces 14C, which is rapidly oxidized into CO2 and exchanges with different carbon reservoirs
Two anthropogenic effects are recorded by atmospheric 14C: first, the Suess effect, which is the addition of carbon dioxide by fossil fuel combustion; and secondly, the increase in 14C concentration in the atmosphere because of atmospheric nuclear weapons testing [1]
The radiocarbon isotopic ratio (Δ14C) and δ13C were determined in 20 samples of several species from tree leaves collected at the two sites
Summary
Radiocarbon (14C) is produced in the atmosphere by a reaction of neutrons with atmospheric 14N that produces 14C, which is rapidly oxidized into CO2 and exchanges with different carbon reservoirs. The determination of the 14C content in atmospheric CO2 or from biosphere materials makes it possible to estimate the excess CO2 or the total emission of carbon dioxide of fossil origin [12] This is based on the differences between radiocarbon concentration in a reference site supposed “clean area” and industrial or urban area. In mining, quarrying, crushing, grinding, and calcining generate large amounts of pollutants, mainly CO2 [13] This cement factory located general the cement plant undertakes various processes such as in the town of Rufisque and is created in the 1948’s (before independence) with the expansion of the city the dwellings have moved closer to the site so this could represent a risk to the environment and to the local population. Estimation of the fossil fuel fraction was carried out based on equations of mass balance for CO2 concentra-
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