Radiocarbon Concentration in Pacific Ocean Water

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Abstract
Results of C14 determinations in surface water from the Pacific were in agreement with those reported by Rafter and Fergusson. However, abnormal C14 concentrations seem to exist locally, for which no oceanographic explanation can be given. It seems premature to draw conclusions from existing determinations as to the rate of increase of C14 in surface ocean water resulting from the uptake of C14 produced in the atmosphere by atomic bombs. Samples from a constant depth of about 3,500 meters show a C14 content decreasing from south to north. This decrease may be attributed to radioactive decay of C14 during the time of migration. From this the northward component of the rate of water movement of about 0.06 cm/sec can be calculated. The C13 determinations, for the purpose of correcting the C14 values for isotope fractionation effects, were found to be remarkably consistent, although made on reburned acetylene. DOI: 10.1111/j.2153-3490.1960.tb01330.x