Marine Radiocarbon Reservoir Corrections for the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas

Abstract

Radiocarbon measurements of nine known age shells from the Mediterranean and the Aegean Seas combined with previous measurements provide an updated value for Delta-R, the local variation in the reservior correction for marine samples. Comparison of pre-1950s samples from the Algerian coast, with one collected in 1954, indicates early incorporations of nuclear weapons testing 14C into the shallow surface waters of the Mediterranean. Comparisons between different basins indicate the surface waters of the Mediterranean are relatively homogenous. The recommended Delta-R for calibration of the Mediterranean marine samples with the 1998 marine calibration dataset is 58 +/85 14C yr, but variations in the resevoir age beyond 6000 cal BP should be considered.