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Science 27 March 1981:
Vol. 211. no. 4489, pp. 1417 - 1419
DOI: 10.1126/science.211.4489.1417
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Articles

Oxygen Isotope Ratios in Trees Reflect Mean Annual Temperature and Humidity

R. L. BURK 1 and M. STUIVER 2

1 Department of Geological Sciences, Quaternary Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle 98195
2 Departments of Geological Sciences and Zoology, Quaternary Research Center, University of Washington

Values of the oxygen isotope ratios (dgr18O) in tree-ring cellulose closely reflect the dgr18O values in atmospheric precipitation and hence mean annual temperature. The change in dgr18O in cellulose is 0.41 per mil per degree Celsius for selected near-coastal stations. The values of dgr18O in precipitation and cellulose also change with altitude, as demonstrated for Mount Rainier, Washington. A temperature lapse rate of 5.2° ± 0.5°C per 1000 meters calculated from cellulose dgr18O values agrees with the accepted mean annual lapse rate of 5°C per 1000 meters for this region. Cellulose dgr18O values and dgr18O values of carbon dioxide equilibrated with leaf water differ by a fixed 16 per mil.

Submitted on September 16, 1980
Revised on November 24, 1980


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Intra-annual variation in the stable oxygen and carbon isotope ratios of cellulose in tree rings of coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens).
J. S. Roden, J. A. Johnstone, and T. E. Dawson (2009)
The Holocene 19, 189-197
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Stable carbon- and hydrogen-isotope ratios of subfossil oaks in southern Germany: methodology and application to a composite record for the Holocene.
C. Mayr, C. Mayr, B. Frenzel, M. Friedrich, M. Spurk, W. Stichler, and P. Trimborn (2003)
The Holocene 13, 393-402
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Isotopic Composition of Cellulose from C3, C4, and CAM Plants Growing Near One Another.
L. Sternberg, L. STERNBERG, and M. J. DENIRO (1983)
Science 220, 947-949
   Abstract »    PDF »


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