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USGS · 70175086

The behavior of 14 C and 13 C in estuarine water: Effects of In situ CO 2 production and atmospheric exchange

Elliott C. Spiker
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Abstract

The effects of nonconservative sources (inputs) and sinks (outputs) of carbon are indicated by the behavior of Δ 14 C and δ 13 C of the total dissolved inorganic carbon (ΣCO 2 ) in San Francisco Bay and Chesapeake Bay. Isotopic distributions and model calculations indicate that in North San Francisco Bay the net CO 2 flux to the atmosphere and carbon utilization in the water column are balanced by benthic production. Municipal waste appears to be a dominant source in South San Francisco Bav. In Chesapeake Bay, atmospheric exchange has increased the Δ 14 C and δ 13 C in the surface water. Decomposition of organic matter in the water column is indicated to be the dominant source of excess ΣCO 2 in the deep water.

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Elliott C. Spiker. 2016-07-18. The behavior of 14 C and 13 C in estuarine water: Effects of In situ CO 2 production and atmospheric exchange. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0033822200010018

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