Changing 14C reservoir ages of surface waters in the southeastern Indian Ocean during glacial-to-deglacial times (~23-10 ka)

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Michael Sarnthein
• Subject Area: Palaeontology
• Term: Funded in 2017
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 388259472

Planktic radiocarbon (14C) reservoir ages are crucial for gaining quantitative insights into the fate of ocean surface waters and the origin of past circulation changes, when put on an absolute time scale with uncertainties less than 100-500 yr. To constrain glacial-to-deglacial events of climate change between 23 and 10 cal. ka the 14C plateau-tuning method turned out particularly well suited to provide semi-continuous suites of both changing planktic reservoir ages and up to 17 high-precision estimates of plateau boundary ages (expressed in calendar yr B.P.). Based on ample experience with 14C dating in various parts of the global ocean our Kiel group plans to establish such time scales in several cores to be obtained from the West Australian continental margin, the target area of R/V Sonne Expedition SO-257 (mid-May-June 2017). To avail myself of the rare opportunity of following a recent invitation by Prof. Dr. W. Kuhnt, chief scientist, to participate as expert in 14C dating in this cruise I request the DFG for funds to cover my travel expenses from Kiel to the ports of departure (Darwin, AUS) and back after arrival (Freemantle, AUS). Further expenses will be covered by the R/V Sonne project.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Cooperation Partner: Professor Dr. Wolfgang Kuhnt