High-resolution stable isotope analysis of tree rings: implications of 'microdendroclimatology' for palaeoenvironmental research

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Abstract
High-resolution stable isotope analyses were carried out on a sample of oak (Quercus petraea) from Cultra, Co Down, UK. A sampling strategy of unparallelled resolution was adopted in an attempt to reconstruct short-term climatic changes during the growing season. The results display a surprising clarity of signal and suggest a significant relationship between δ 13C and relative humidity and, to a lesser extent, temperature. This preliminary study proposes possible reasons for the isotopic profile observed and highlights the perceived future value of intra-ring isotope studies ('microdendroclimatology').