Variability of organic δ13C and C/N in the Mersey Estuary, U.K. and its implications for sea-level reconstruction studies

Wilson, Graham P.; Lamb, Angela L.; Leng, Melanie J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1115-5166; Gonzalez, Silvia; Huddart, David. 2005 Variability of organic δ13C and C/N in the Mersey Estuary, U.K. and its implications for sea-level reconstruction studies. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 64 (4). 685-698. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2005.04.003

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2005.04.003

Abstract/Summary

Microfossil analysis (e.g. diatoms, foraminifera and pollen) represents the cornerstone of Holocene relative sea-level (RSL) reconstruction because their distribution in the contemporary inter-tidal zone is principally controlled by ground elevation within the tidal frame. A combination of poor microfossil preservation and a limited range in the sediment record may severely restrict the accuracy of resulting RSL reconstructions. Organic δ13C and C/N analysis of inter-tidal sediments have shown some potential as coastal palaeoenvironmental proxies. Here we assess their viability for reconstructing RSL change by examining patterns of organic δ13C and C/N values in a modern estuarine environment. δ13C and C/N analysis of bulk organic inter-tidal sediments and vegetation, as well as suspended and bedload organic sediments of the Mersey Estuary, U.K., demonstrate that the two main sources of organic carbon to surface saltmarsh sediments (terrestrial vegetation and tidal-derived particulate organic matter) have distinctive δ13C and C/N signatures. The resulting relationship between ground elevation within the tidal frame and surface sediment δ13C and C/N is unaffected by decompositional changes. The potential of this technique for RSL reconstruction is demonstrated by the analysis of part of an early Holocene sediment core from the Mersey Estuary. Organic δ13C and C/N analysis is less time consuming than microfossil analysis and is likely to provide continuous records of RSL change.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2005.04.003
Programmes:	BGS Programmes > NERC Isotope Geoscience Laboratory
ISSN:	02727714
Date made live:	11 Feb 2014 12:16 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/504842

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2005.04.003

Programmes:

BGS Programmes > NERC Isotope Geoscience Laboratory

ISSN:

02727714

Date made live:

11 Feb 2014 12:16 +0 (UTC)

URI:

https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/504842