Global Production and Decay of Radiocarbon

Abstract

The production rate of 14C during the Holocene averaged 2.4 +/- 0.2 atoms 14C/cme sec. Neutrons produced by galactic cosmic rays account for 90% of the 14C production with the remainin 10% resulting from neutrons produced by protons from solar flares. Production and decay of 4C can be reconciled by including 14C permanently or temporarily stored in sediments. Sedimentary reservoirs contain ca 30% of all terrestrial 14C. The lagoons, bays, marshes and deltas of the coastal wetlands alone account for 12% of the 14C inventory. The capacity of the coastal wetlands to store carbon has become the subject of renewed interest.