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Atmospheric CO2 effect on stable carbon isotope composition of terrestrial fossil archives

Author

Listed:
  • Vincent J. Hare

    (University of Oxford
    University of Rochester)

  • Emma Loftus

    (University of Oxford
    University of Oxford)

  • Amy Jeffrey

    (University of Oxford)

  • Christopher Bronk Ramsey

    (University of Oxford)

Abstract

The 13C/12C ratio of C3 plant matter is thought to be controlled by the isotopic composition of atmospheric CO2 and stomatal response to environmental conditions, particularly mean annual precipitation (MAP). The effect of CO2 concentration on 13C/12C ratios is currently debated, yet crucial to reconstructing ancient environments and quantifying the carbon cycle. Here we compare high-resolution ice core measurements of atmospheric CO2 with fossil plant and faunal isotope records. We show the effect of pCO2 during the last deglaciation is stronger for gymnosperms (−1.4 ± 1.2‰) than angiosperms/fauna (−0.5 ± 1.5‰), while the contributions from changing MAP are −0.3 ± 0.6‰ and −0.4 ± 0.4‰, respectively. Previous studies have assumed that plant 13C/12C ratios are mostly determined by MAP, an assumption which is sometimes incorrect in geological time. Atmospheric effects must be taken into account when interpreting terrestrial stable carbon isotopes, with important implications for past environments and climates, and understanding plant responses to climate change.

Suggested Citation

  • Vincent J. Hare & Emma Loftus & Amy Jeffrey & Christopher Bronk Ramsey, 2018. "Atmospheric CO2 effect on stable carbon isotope composition of terrestrial fossil archives," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-8, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:9:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-017-02691-x
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-02691-x
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    Cited by:

    1. Maciej Górka & Yaroslav Bezyk & Izabela Sówka, 2021. "Assessment of GHG Interactions in the Vicinity of the Municipal Waste Landfill Site—Case Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-19, December.

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