Bomb Carbon Research Articles

Novel mycorrhizal cheating in a green orchid: Cremastra appendiculata depends on carbon from deadwood through fungal associations.

To date, there has been no robust evidence for the exploitation of saprotrophic non-rhizoctonia fungi by green plants, although some fully mycoheterotrophic orchids are known to exploit them, and mycoheterotrophic evolution has probably occurred through intermediate mixotrophic stages. We investigated the physiological ecology of a fully mycoheterotrophic species Cremastra aphylla and its photosynthetic sister species Cremastra appendiculata, which putatively exploit saprotrophic fungi. Their mycorrhizal partners and ultimate nutritional sources were determined using molecular, stable isotopic, and radiocarbon analysis. Both Cremastra aphylla and Cremastra appendiculata were consistently associated with wood-decaying Psathyrellaceae. In addition, both species were highly enriched in carbon-13 (13 C) and, to a less degree, in nitrogen-15 (15 N). The δ13 C and δ15 N values of Cremastra appendiculata were intermediate between those of Cremastra aphylla and those of autotrophic plants. All Cremastra appendiculata samples and two Cremastra aphylla samples exhibited elevated Δ14 C values due to the acquisition of carbon fixed in wood during the past decades (14 C-enriched bomb carbon). Our multifaceted evidence indicated that both species obtained carbon from deadwood via saprotrophic fungi. Our findings strongly suggest that mixotrophic relationships associated with wood-decaying fungi represent a novel evolutionary pathway for full mycoheterotrophy in orchids.

Use of radiocarbon for assessing the mycorrhizal status of mycoheterotrophic plants

ABSTRACT Mycoheterotrophic plants are non-photosynthetic plants that obtain nutrients from fungi. Even though most of these plants are associated with the mycorrhizal partners of surrounding photosynthetic plants, recent studies have suggested that some mycoheterotrophic orchids indirectly obtain carbon from decaying organic matter through associations with saprotrophic fungi. However, such suggestions have been based primarily on indirect evidence, such as the 13C and 15N abundances of fungi and plants. It was recently reported that some mycoheterotrophs yield elevated Δ 14C values, owing to the indirect acquisition of 14C-enriched bomb carbon from dead wood. The approach was based on the anthropogenic change of Δ 14C values; atmospheric CO2 were globally elevated by nuclear weapons testing in the 1950s and early 1960s, but have steadily declined since its peak after the atmospheric nuclear test ban treaty of 1963. The study has provided novel evidence that mycoheterotrophic plants can exploit both mycorrhizal and saprotrophic fungi. We suggest that the radiocarbon analysis is also useful for investigating the nutritional modes of mixotrophic plants as well as for investigating whether the recruitment of wood-decaying fungi into novel mycorrhizal partnerships preceded the evolution of full mycoheterotrophy.

Some mycoheterotrophic orchids depend on carbon from dead wood: novel evidence from a radiocarbon approach.

Mycoheterotrophic plants depend entirely on fungal associations for organic nutrients. While most mycoheterotrophic plants are associated with the mycorrhizal partners of surrounding green plants, some mycoheterotrophs are believed to obtain carbon from decaying litter or dead wood by parasitising saprotrophic fungi, based on culture experiments and 13 C and 15 N isotopic signatures. The carbon age (the time since carbon was fixed from atmospheric CO2 by photosynthesis) can be estimated by measuring the concentration of 14 C arising from the bomb tests of the 1950s and 1960s. Given that mycorrhizal fungi obtain photosynthate from their plant partners, and saprotrophic wood-decaying fungi obtain carbon from older sources, radiocarbon could represent a new and powerful tool to investigate carbon sources of mycoheterotrophic plants. We showed that the Δ14 C values of mycoheterotrophs exploiting ectomycorrhizal fungi were close to 0‰, similar to those of autotrophic plants. By contrast, the Δ14 C values of mycoheterotrophs exploiting saprotrophic fungi ranged from 110.7‰ to 324.8‰, due to the 14 C-enriched bomb carbon from dead wood via saprotrophic fungi. Our study provides evidence supporting that some mycoheterotrophic orchids depend on forest woody debris. Our study also indicates that radiocarbon could be used to predict the trophic strategies of mycoheterotroph-associated fungal symbionts.

Composition and turnover time of organic matter in soil fractions with different magnetic susceptibility

The composition and turnover time (TT) of organic matter in soil fractions with different magnetic susceptibility were studied in a tropical primary forest in Ghana. The starting hypothesis was that soil organic matter (SOM) composition and properties depend on the magnetic susceptibility of the minerals SOM is associated with. Soil samples from 0 to 5, 5–15, 15–30, and 30–50 cm depth intervals were sieved to remove rock fragments (>2.0 mm) and then separated into two size fractions (0.5–2.0 mm and <0.5 mm) that were processed by a High Gradient Magnetic Separator (HGMS) to finally obtain four fractions with different size and/or magnetic susceptibility. All fractions were analysed for their mineral composition, 14C concentration, and spectroscopic properties of SOM (13C CPMAS NMR).From a mineralogical point of view, the magnetic (MA) fractions essentially differed from the non-magnetic (NM) ones for a higher presence of oxides and kaolinite, which per se is non-magnetic. In terms of chemical composition of SOM, the MA fractions showed higher contribution of labile compounds than the NM ones. At all depths, the 14C concentration revealed shortest TT of SOM in the <0.5 mm MA fraction and longest TT in the <0.5 mm NM fraction, while the 0.5–2.0 mm fractions showed intermediate and similar TT's. At depths <5 cm, the fine NM fraction was not significantly influenced by the carbon fixed after the 1950s (“bomb carbon”), having TT of almost 1000 years and suggesting that in this tropical soil some SOM can be stabilized also in relatively superficial horizons.Our findings support the hypothesis that minerals are driving factors of the fate of SOM. As a consequence, soil fractionation based on magnetic susceptibility might be a meaningful procedure for having insight into SOM dynamics.

Development of an alternative ageing technique for blue shark (Prionace glauca ) using the vertebra

Accurate determination of age is essential for the comprehensive assessment and management of exploited shark populations. Enhancement of growth bands is necessary to accurately and efficiently determine age. However, most traditional techniques do not describe an efficiency of a series of procedures and the detailed protocol for different-sized sharks. We describe a simple and highly successful technique for ageing vertebrae of blue shark (Prionace glauca) that we refer to as “burn method”, derived from the “break and burn method” and “shadowing method”—a simple procedure requiring an alkaline treatment to clean the vertebral centra and a burning treatment to enhance growth band visualization. We described optimal times for sharks of precaudal length of 50, 100, 150, and 200 cm as 44.9, 88.7, 134.0, 183.5 s of alkaline treatment, and 6.8, 8.9, 10.2, and 11.5 min of burning treatment; both longer and shorter exposure times resulted in higher failed sample frequencies. Using our burn method, it is possible to do ageing a sample from a wide angle, with the reader able to obtain information on growth bands from different perspectives. To critique different technique efficiencies, the index of average percent error (IAPE) and mean coefficient of variation (CV) are compared for independent readers using the burn method and other techniques (silver nitrate impregnation and the unstained shadowing methods). The precision of the burn method (IAPE, 4.1%; CV, 5.7%) was similar to that of silver nitrate impregnation (IAPE, 5.8%; CV, 8.2%) and unstained shadowing method (IAPE, 8.3%; CV, 11.8%). For younger specimens, the IAPE and CV of the burn method were lower than those of the other techniques, but, compared with other ageing methods, precision decreased for older sharks. We demonstrate that the burn method to be accurate for age determination of blue sharks, especially for specimens with less than 10 bands, but recommend simultaneous use of other methods, such as thin sectioning (the most common for structure-based ageing) and bomb carbon dating, to accurately determine the age of older individuals.

Evidence for systemic age underestimation in shark and ray ageing studies

AbstractNumerous studies have now demonstrated that the most common method of ageing sharks and rays, counting growth zones on calcified structures, can underestimate true age. I reviewed bomb carbon dating (n = 15) and fluorochrome chemical marking (n = 44) age validation studies to investigate the frequency and magnitude of this phenomenon. Age was likely to have been underestimated in nine of 29 genera and 30% of the 53 populations studied, including 50% of those validated using bomb carbon dating. Length and age were strongly significant predictors of occurrence, with age typically underestimated in larger and older individuals. These characteristics suggest age underestimation is likely a systemic issue associated with the current methods and structures used for ageing. Where detected using bomb carbon dating, growth zones were reliable up to 88% of asymptotic length (L∞) and 41% of maximum age (AMax). The maximum magnitude of age underestimation, ΔMax, ranged from five to 34 years, averaging 18 years across species. Current perceptions of shark and ray life histories are informed to a large extent by growth studies that assume calcified ageing structures are valid throughout life. The widespread age underestimation documented here shows this assumption is frequently violated, with potentially important consequences for conservation and management. In addition to leading to an underestimation of longevity, the apparent loss of population age‐structure associated with it may unexpectedly bias growth and mortality parameters. Awareness of these biases is essential given shark and ray population assessments often rely exclusively on life history parameters derived from ageing studies.

Variations of monsoonal rain and vegetation during the past millennium in Tiangui Mountain, North China reflected by stalagmite δ18O and δ13C records from Zhenzhu Cave

An 11-cm long stalagmite (ZZ12) collected from Zhenzhu cave, Tiangui Mountain, northwest of the North China Plain (NCP) has been measured by 230Th/U, AMS 14C and 210Pb dating methods. Only AMS 14C dating yielded the chronology successfully, while 230Th/U did not due to low uranium content and the young age of the stalagmite. The top layers in the stalagmite contain “nuclear bomb carbon” signal, and the AMS 14C dates of charcoal and carbonate samples at the bottom are similar. Based on a series of AMS 14C dates which contain minimal dead carbon influence (DCI) in the stalagmite, the age model of the stalagmite has been constructed, indicating that the stalagmite was 1970 years old. A total of 470 subsamples from the upper 51 mm (since 1180 CE) of the stalagmite have been analyzed for δ18O and δ13C. The δ18O record of stalagmite ZZ12 reflects changes in the summer monsoonal rainfall in the NCP, being comparable with the local and north-central China dry-wet index. The driest periods were found in 14th-15th centuries in the Little Ice Age (LIA) and since 1970s, perhaps due to weakening of East Asian summer monsoon. The δ13C of ZZ12 mainly recorded vegetation changes in Tiangui Mountain and revealed deforestation in two major periods: 1500–1600 CE and 1830–1940 CE caused by local human activities. Spectral analysis of the δ18O record suggests that the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) and Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) may both play important roles in changes of multi-decadal monsoonal rainfall in the NCP, with more rainfall responding to the negative PDO, La Niño-like, and positive AMO phases.

Distributions of “bomb 14C”, biogeochemistry and elemental concentration in Hani mire peat profiles, NE China: Implications of environmental change

Two 50−cm long peat cores from the Hani mire on the western slope of the Changbai Mountains, northeastern China, were collected for investigating physical, biological and geochemical processes of the peatland in response to recent climate change. The 14C dating using accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) on the peat cores provides “a nuclear bomb carbon curve” which is used for peat chronological construction. The sedimentation rate (SR) of Core S1 from a Sphagnum magenllanicum hummock in the Hani mire was about 0.98 cm/y and deposited from 1957–2008 CE, whereas the SR of Core S2 from S. palustre hummock (1 km apart from S1) was 1.59 cm/y and accumulated during 1976–2008. The discrepancy of the SRs may mainly be attributed to the different inorganic material supplies from surface runoff which affected growth of Sphagnum spp. at different sites, with lower rate corresponding to higher inorganic contents (higher Ti, Ca and Mg contents thus lower values of loss on ignition, LOI%). On the other hand, the two cores had similar values and variation trends in the pH, C/N, N and P contents, and dry bulk density (DBD), implying that the organic source and decomposition were similar under the same climatic conditions. The variations of TOC%, C/N and Pb content in the peat cores matched well with the 5-y running average of local annual precipitation record, with higher TOC% and C/N but lower Pb content corresponding to higher rainfall; and vice versa. These properties in the meso-oligotrophic peat sequences can reflect climatic changes. The recent rates of carbon accumulation (RERCA) for S1 and S2 calculated from the TOC%, DBD and SR were averaged 121.6 ± 24.3 and 175.5 ± 35.1 g/m2/y, respectively.

Modelling the genesis of equatorial podzols: age and implications for carbon fluxes

Abstract. Amazonian podzols store huge amounts of carbon and play a key role in transferring organic matter to the Amazon River. In order to better understand their C dynamics, we modelled the formation of representative Amazonian podzol profiles by constraining both total carbon and radiocarbon. We determined the relationships between total carbon and radiocarbon in organic C pools numerically by setting constant C and 14C inputs over time. The model was an effective tool for determining the order of magnitude of the carbon fluxes and the time of genesis of the main carbon-containing horizons, i.e. the topsoil and deep Bh. We performed retrocalculations to take into account the bomb carbon in the young topsoil horizons (calculated apparent 14C age from 62 to 109 years). We modelled four profiles representative of Amazonian podzols, two profiles with an old Bh (calculated apparent 14C age 6.8 × 103 and 8.4 × 103 years) and two profiles with a very old Bh (calculated apparent 14C age 23.2 × 103 and 25.1 × 103 years). The calculated fluxes from the topsoil to the perched water table indicate that the most waterlogged zones of the podzolized areas are the main source of dissolved organic matter found in the river network. It was necessary to consider two Bh carbon pools to accurately represent the carbon fluxes leaving the Bh as observed in previous studies. We found that the genesis time of the studied soils was necessarily longer than 15 × 103 and 130 × 103 years for the two younger and two older Bhs, respectively, and that the genesis time calculated considering the more likely settings runs to around 15 × 103–25 × 103 and 150 × 103–250 × 103 years, respectively.

Abstract 120: Radiocarbon Birth Dating of Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations

Introduction: The chronological development of brain arteriovenous malformations (AVM) is controversial. Atmospheric nuclear testing until 1963 produced a global bomb-pulse of 14 C and thus a chronometer of molecular synthesis in the entire biosphere from 1955 to the present. We isolated and dated a durable, representative structural protein from human cerebral arteries (CA) and brain AVMs. Method: Samples from cadaveric CAs or from brain AVMs from patients undergoing surgical resection were processed to ultra- purify elastin. The age of purified elastin extracted from cerebral arteries or from AVMs was measured using 14 C bomb-pulse technique. We modified a 14 C biological incorporation equation model using variable AVM formation dates and elastin formation and degradation rates. Results: A total of 62 CAs from individuals with ages ranging from 1 month to 100 years and 30 unruptured or ruptured AVMs were collected. All CAs and nearly all AVMs yielded ultra-purified elastin in sufficient amount for further 14 C birth dating. Mean age of elastin was 13.4± 11.2 years (n = 34), whereas elastin derived from AVMs was less than 5 years old (n = 15, p = 0.002). Based on 14 C content relative subject birthdate and date of tissue collection, best-fit modeling of CA and AVM elastin demonstrated turnover rates less than 2% and 25 - 50%, respectively. Amongst AVMs, those with associated aneurysms had younger elastin (p=0.007). Larger AVMs tended to have younger elastin (p=0.086) and AVM rupture was not associated with elastin age (p=0.358). Conclusions: Our data provides the first chronological evidence for the longevity of elastin in CAs, as evident based on the inclusion of bomb carbon in elastin from subjects who reached maturity prior to 1955. Importantly it also demonstrates elastin isolated from brain AVMs is contemporary and likely immature suggesting a non-congenital origin and/or rapid vascular turnover.

Stable and radioactive carbon in forest soils of Chhattisgarh, Central India: Implications for tropical soil carbon dynamics and stable carbon isotope evolution

Soils from two sites viz. Kotumsar and Tirathgarh, located ∼5km apart in a tropical reserve forest (18°52′N, 81°56′E) in central India, have been explored for soil organic carbon (SOC) content, its mean residence time (MRT) and the evolution of stable carbon isotopic composition (δ13C). SOC stocks in the upper 30cm of soil layers are ∼5.3kg/m2 and ∼3.0kg/m2; in the upper 110m are ∼10.7kg/m2 and ∼7.8kg/m2 at Kotumsar and Tirathgarh, respectively. SOC decreases with increasing depth. Bomb carbon signature is observed in the upper ∼10cm. Organic matters in the top soil layers (0–10cm) have MRTs of the order of a century which increases gradually with depths, reaching 3500–5000yrs at ∼100cm. δ13C values of SOC increase with depth, the carbon isotopic fractionation is obtained to be −1.2‰ and −3‰ for soils at Kotumsar and Tirathgarh, respectively, confirmed using Rayleigh isotopic fractionation model. The evolution of δ13C in soils was also studied using a modified Rayleigh fractionation model incorporating a continuous input into the reservoir: the depth profiles of δ13C for SOC show that the input organic matter from surface into the deeper soil layers is either insignificant or highly labile and decomposes quite fast in the top layers, thus making little contribution to the residual biomasses of the deeper layers. This is an attempt to understand the distillation processes that take place in SOC, assess the extent of decomposition by microbes and effect of percolation of fresh organic matter into dipper soil layers which are important for stable isotope based paleoclimate and paleovegetation reconstruction and understanding the dynamics of organic carbon in soils.

Age and growth of the white shark, Carcharodon carcharias, in the western North Atlantic Ocean

Age and growth estimates for the white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) in the western North Atlantic Ocean (WNA) were derived from band pair counts on the vertebral centra of 81 specimens collected between 1963 and 2010. We used two previously published criteria to interpret band pairs and assessed the validity of each method using Δ14C levels from a recent bomb radiocarbon validation study and existing Δ14C reference chronologies in the WNA. Although both criteria produced age estimates consistent, to varying degrees, with different reference chronologies, only one was considered valid when life history information was used to select the appropriate reference chronology and minimum/maximum ages based on bomb carbon values were taken into consideration. These age estimates, validated up to 44 years, were used to develop a growth curve for the species, which was best described using the Schnute general model (sexes combined). These results indicate that white sharks grow more slowly and live longer than previously thought.

Long-term organic carbon turnover rates in natural and semi-natural topsoils

We combined published and new radiocarbon and ancillary data for uncultivated topsoils (typically 15 cm depth), to make two databases, one for the United Kingdom (133 sites), and one global (114 sites). Forest topsoils are significantly higher in radiocarbon than non-forest soils, indicating greater enrichment with “bomb carbon” and therefore faster C turnover, if steady-state conditions are assumed. Steady-state modelling, taking into account variations in atmospheric 14CO2, including the effects of 20th century nuclear weapons testing and radioactive decay, was used to quantify soil carbon turnover rates. Application of a model with variable slow (20 year mean residence time, MRT) and passive (1,000 year MRT) carbon pools partitioned the topsoil C approximately equally, on average, between the two pools when the entire data set was considered. However, the mean slow:passive ratio of 0.65:0.35 for forest soil was highly significantly different (p < 0.001) from the 0.40:0.60 ratio for non-forest soils. Values of the slow and passive fractions were normally distributed, but the non-forest fractions showed greater variation, with approximately twice the relative standard deviations of the forest values. Assuming a litter input of 500 g C m−2 a−1, average global C fluxes (g C m−2 a−1) of forest soils are estimated to be 298 (through a fast pool of MRT 1 year), 200 (slow pool) and 2.0 (passive pool), while for non-forest soils, respective average fluxes of 347, 150 and 3.3 g C m−2 a−1 are obtained. The results highlight the widespread global phenomenon of topsoil C heterogeneity, and indicate key differences between forest and non-forest soils relevant for understanding and managing soil C.

Radiocarbon Measurements on Early Photographs: Methods Development for Testing Waxed Paper Negatives

The earliest years of photography were full of experimentation and innovation; many photographers from this era carefully documented their experimental procedures. Consequently, it is possible to reproduce historically accurate photographs and negatives today. One of the oldest forms of photographic technology is the waxed paper negative, popular during the mid-19th century. It consists of a photosensitive sheet of writing paper coated with a layer of wax to render it transparent. Modern waxed paper negatives made using 19th century paper can potentially pass for historically significant 19th century negatives. This poses problems to museums and others interested in studying or collecting authentic 19th century photographic images. We have developed methods for separating the organic components of waxed paper negatives and measuring their radiocarbon content as a means of distinguishing between modern and historic waxed paper negatives. By detecting the presence or lack of bomb carbon in a given negative, this process can act as a tool for authentication. We have mainly focused on the extraction and 14C measurement of the wax component, reasoning that modern photographers might have easy access to 19th century paper, but would less likely use 19th century beeswax.

Review on studies of age and growth of sharks

Sharks,as an important group of elasmobranches,play a vital role in keeping stability and diversity of marine ecosystem.Understanding of age and growth characteristics of sharks helps us know their life history and estimate the population dynamics and stock status.The main issues derived from previous studies of age and growth of sharks are as follows:(1)What is the most appropriate sample for aging sharks?(2)Which methods are the best for age determination and validation?(3)How to select the best model to describe growth.These issues are reviewed in this study.We compare the advantages,disadvantages and application limitations of two age determination methods(hard tissue identification,length frequency analysis)and three age validation methods(margin increment analysis,chemical markers,and bomb carbon dating).Applications of various growth models for different shark species are also analyzed.Our review indicates that vertebra close to the first dorsal fin are the best samples for determining age of sharks;chemical methods need to be used to increase the visibility of annuls;validation techniques are important for reducing systematic error in determining age of sharks;and multiple candidate models should be tested for choosing the optimal model.This study will provide guide and reference for further studying the age and growth of sharks.

Interlaboratory Variability of Radiocarbon Results Obtained from Blind AMS Analyses on Several Modern Carbon Samples

Three samples of modern-day vegetation collected in 2009–2010 and a sample of bioethanol produced in 2010 were analyzed for radiocarbon by 5 different accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) laboratories in a blind analysis study. The magnitude of any variability in the reported results for percent modern carbon (pMC) was observed. Results indicated that the interlaboratory repeatability on the samples of vegetation was generally very good, varying by no more than ~1 pMC for 2 of the 3 samples. Results for the bioethanol were less consistent, and varied by 5.5 pMC (ranging from 101.9 to 107.4 pMC). Variations in the δ13C values used to correct for isotopic fractionation did not account for the variability observed in the pMC values for this sample. In view of the homogeneity of the bioethanol and its inherent simplicity in composition, this suggests that volatile liquid fuels may be more difficult to prepare for analysis without incurring significant sample processing errors. When viewing all of the results as a whole, the analytical errors (incorporating both instrumental and sample processing errors) appeared to be more random than systematic in nature. Because of analytical uncertainties in pMC measurements, as well as inherent local and regional variations in 14C activity levels known to occur in modern-day biomass, there is not a precise (accurate to 2 decimal places) correction factor for negating the bomb carbon effect that is applicable to all biofuels or other biobased products being analyzed in accordance with ASTM Method D6866. Therefore, a reasonable correction factor (currently set at 0.95) needs to be consistently applied in order to make comparisons of biobased content data from different laboratories more valid. Results from this study indicate that, for samples containing predominantly modern carbon, reporting results to the nearest 0.1 pMC is not warranted.

Improved Application of Bomb Carbon in Teeth for Forensic Investigation

While radiocarbon is widely applied in dating ancient samples, recent studies reveal that 14C concentrations in modern samples can also yield precise ages due to the atmospheric testing of thermonuclear devices between 1950 and 1963. 14C concentrations in both enamel and organic matter of 13 teeth from 2 areas in China were examined to evaluate and improve this method of forensic investigation. Choosing enamel near the cervix of the tooth can reduce the error caused by the difference between the sample formation time and whole enamel formation time because tooth enamel formations take a long time to complete. A proper regional data set will be helpful to get an accurate result when calculating the age of the sample (T1) by the CALIBomb program. By subtracting the enamel formation time (t), the birth date of an individual (T2) can be confirmed by enamel F14C from 2 teeth formed at different ages. Calculated enamel formation dates by 14C concentration are basically consistent with corresponding actual values, with a mean error of 1.9 yr for all results and 0.2 yr for the samples formed after AD 1960. This method is more effective for dating samples completed after AD 1960. We also found that 14C concentrations in organic matter of tooth roots are much lower than atmospheric concentrations in root formation years, suggesting that the organic material keeps turning over even after tooth formation is complete. This might be a potential tool for identification of death age to extract a proper component for 14C dating. We also observed that δ13C values between hydroxyapatite and organic matter indicate that isotopic fractionation during the biomineralization is 8–9%‰ more positive in mineral fractions than in organic matter.

Chemical and isotopic signature of old groundwater and magmatic solutes in a Costa Rican rain forest: Evidence from carbon, helium, and chlorine

C, He, and Cl concentrations and isotopes in groundwater and surface water in a lowland Costa Rican rain forest are consistent with the mixing of two distinct groundwaters: (1) high‐solute bedrock groundwater representing interbasin groundwater flow (IGF) into the rain forest and (2) low‐solute local groundwater recharged in the lowlands. In bedrock groundwater, high δ13C (−4.89‰), low 14C (7.98 pM), high R/RA for He (6.88), and low 36Cl/Cl (17 × 10−15) suggest that elevated tracer concentrations are derived from magmatic outgassing and/or weathering of volcanic rock beneath nearby Volcan Barva. In local groundwater, the magmatic signature is absent, and data suggest atmospheric sources for He and Cl and a biogenic soil gas CO2 source for dissolved inorganic carbon. Dating of 14C suggests that the age of bedrock groundwater is 2400–4000 years (most likely at the lower end of the range). Local groundwater has 14C &gt; 100 pM, indicating the presence of “bomb carbon” and thus ages less than ∼55 years. Overall, data are consistent with a conceptual hydrologic model originally proposed on the basis of water budget and major ion data: (1) large variation in solute concentrations can be explained by mixing of the two distinct groundwaters, (2) bedrock groundwater is much older than local groundwater, (3) elevated solute concentrations in bedrock groundwater are derived from volcanic fluids and/or rock, and (4) local groundwater has not interacted with volcanic rock. Tracers with different capabilities converge on the same hydrologic interpretation. Also, transport of magmatic CO2 into the lowland rain forest via IGF seems to be significant relative to other large ecosystem‐level carbon fluxes.

Direct Analysis of Automotive Fuels for Bioethanol Content Using Radiocarbon Analysis

Exploratory work was performed to investigate the feasibility of using a simplified radiometric analytical approach for determining the bioethanol content of US automotive fuels. The method involves mixing fuel samples directly with a suitable fluor. Sample preparation is extremely rapid since all conventional sample preparation steps are essentially eliminated. Results are based on the background-corrected DPM values obtained when using 10 mL of sample mixed with 10 mL of Permafluor E+. Results are also reported in terms of conventional pMC for some of the samples. Bioethanol from a dry-mill ethanol plant served as the analytical reference sample that represented a 100% bioethanol content. Using current-day bioethanol as a reference sample eliminates the need to correct for “bomb carbon.” For 1:1 mixtures of sample and fluor, the background-corrected DPM showed a linear relationship with the bioethanol concentration, indicating that the quench correction approach was effective for the variable-quench samples. Based on the analysis of E0 (pure gasoline), E10, and “E85” from local gas stations, it appears that the method has good potential for determining the bioethanol content in commercial ethanol/gasoline blends. However, a variety of potential sources of error still require investigation in order to refine the method.

Transformation of Soil Organic Mater in a Japanese Larch Forest: Radiocarbon and Stable Carbon Isotope Compositions Versus Soil Depth

Soil organic matter at a depth of 0–55 cm, collected from a Japanese larch forest area, was separated into particulate organic matter (size >53 μm), particulate organic matter (size <53 μm) and humic acid matter. Depth profiles of their Δ14C and δ13C values were determined. The Δ14C values of particulate matters decreased greatly from 128‰ to -278‰, indicating a relative increase of resistant organic components in particulate matters. That of humic acid matter decreased from 183‰ to -139‰. For these of organic matter fractions at the same depth, the Δ14C values of particulate matter (size > 53 μm) are smallest and those of humic acid matter are the largest. That indicates that a high contribution of young organic matter to the humic acid matter exists and transformation tendency of particulate matter may be from coarse to small in the particulate size. Positive Δ14C values appeared at a depth of 10 cm, 25 cm, and 35 cm for the particulate organic matter (size > 53 μm), particulate organic matter (size <53 μm) and humic acid matter, respectively. The transformation rate is suggested to be different in different organic matter. Positive Δ14C values of the humic acid matter also infects that the bomb carbon has reached the depth of 35 cm. Additionally, the Δ14C values of these three kinds of organic matters ranged from 50‰ to 183‰ at a depth of 0–7 cm, which were not smaller than that of litter in the forest area, indicating high proportion of modern, plants-derived soil organic matter in this depth ranges. The δ13C values increased from −28‰ to −23‰ with the increase depth of 0–55 cm. The δ13C values of humic acid matter are approximately less than that of particulate matters at the same depth, which may be explained as a high contribution of young organic matter to the humic acid matter.