Sampling strategy for stable carbon isotope analysis of tree rings in pine (original) (raw)

Nature volume 311, pages 145–147 (1984) Cite this article

Abstract

Stable carbon isotope measurements in tree rings have been explored as potential indicators of past climate1,2, and as proxy data for reconstructions of the history of 13C/12C variations of atmospheric carbon dioxide as related to the global carbon cycle3–6. Results of these studies are often conflicting, perhaps partly due to the limited style of sampling natural systems with large inherent spatial variability. We have examined stable carbon isotopic trends in tree rings among several radii of the same tree (Pinus edulis Engelm.) and among several trees from the same site, to determine the extent of this variability. The circumferential range in δ13C values of cellulose is ∼1–1.5‰, whereas among individuals it is ∼2–3‰. Tests to determine how well various combinations of cores fit the trend of an individual tree or of the site as a whole indicate that pooling four cores from four trees accurately represent site _δ_13C trends and absolute values.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Subscribe to this journal

Receive 52 print issues and online access

$199.00 per year

only $3.83 per issue

Buy this article

USD 39.95

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Additional access options:

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Farmer, J. G. Nature 279, 229–231 (1979).
    Article ADS CAS Google Scholar
  2. Grinsted, M. J., Wilson, A. T. & Ferguson, C. W. Earth planet. Sci. Lett. 42, 251–253 (1979).
    Article ADS CAS Google Scholar
  3. Francey, R. J. Nature 290, 232–235 (1981).
    Article ADS CAS Google Scholar
  4. Stuiver, M. Science 199, 253–258 (1978).
    Article ADS CAS Google Scholar
  5. Leavitt, S. W. & Long, A. Tellus 35B, 92–102 (1983).
    Article Google Scholar
  6. Freyer, H. D. & Belacy, N. J. geophys. Res. 88, 6844–6852 (1983).
    Article ADS CAS Google Scholar
  7. Fritts, H. C. Tree Rings and Climate (Academic, London, 1976).
    Google Scholar
  8. Tans, P. P. & Mook, W. G. Tellus 32, 268–283 (1980).
    ADS CAS Google Scholar
  9. Francey, R. J. & Farquhar, G. D. Nature 297, 28–31 (1982).
    Article ADS CAS Google Scholar
  10. Green, J. W. in Methods of Carbohydrate Chemistry (ed. Whistler, R. L.) 9–21 (Academic, New York, 1963).
    Google Scholar
  11. Leavitt, S. W. & Long, A. Isot. Geosci. 1, 169–180 (1983).
    CAS Google Scholar
  12. Craig, H. Geochim. cosmochim. Acta 12, 133–149 (1957).
    Article ADS CAS Google Scholar
  13. Leavitt, S. W. thesis, Univ. Arizona (1982).
  14. Arnold, L. D. thesis, Univ. Arizona (1979).
  15. Freyer, H. D. & Wiesberg, L. in Isotope Ratios as Pollutant Source and Behavior Indicators, 49–62 (IAEA, Vienna, 1975).
    Google Scholar
  16. De Silva, M. P. thesis, Rheinisch-Westfalische Hochschule Aachen (1978).
  17. Mazany, T., Lerman, J. C. & Long, A. Nature 287, 432–435 (1980).
    Article ADS CAS Google Scholar
  18. Bender, M. M. & Berge, A. J. Tellus 34, 500–504 (1982).
    Article ADS Google Scholar
  19. Freyer, H. D. Tellus 31, 124–137 (1979).
    ADS CAS Google Scholar

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geosciences, University of Arizona, Tuscon, Arizona, 85721, USA
    Steven W. Leavitt & Austin Long

Authors

  1. Steven W. Leavitt
  2. Austin Long

Rights and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Leavitt, S., Long, A. Sampling strategy for stable carbon isotope analysis of tree rings in pine.Nature 311, 145–147 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1038/311145a0

Download citation

This article is cited by