Calibration of lacustrine sediment ages using the relationship between (super 14) C levels in lake waters and in the atmosphere; the case of Lake Kinneret.

Abstract

The source of endogenic organic and inorganic carbon in lacustrine sediments is the dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in the lake water. The relation between the radiocarbon levels of DIC in Lake Kinneret and of CO (sub 2) in the atmosphere has been investigated. The ratio of the former to the latter was found to be 0.814+ or -0.013. This ratio is used for calibrating the age of the sediment according to the natural fluctuations in the atmospheric levels of (super 14) C that occurred during the past 10,000 years.