Note to users. If you're seeing this message, it means that your browser cannot find this page's style/presentation instructions -- or possibly that you are using a browser that does not support current Web standards. Find out more about why this message is appearing, and what you can do to make your experience of our site the best it can be.

Science 4 January 1980:
Vol. 207. no. 4426, pp. 11 - 19
DOI: 10.1126/science.207.4426.11
Prev | Table of Contents | Next

Articles

Changes in Atmospheric Carbon-14 Attributed to a Variable Sun

Minze Stuiver 1 and Paul D. Quay 2

1 Professor in the Departments of Geological Sciences and Zoology and the Quaternary Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle 98195
2 Research associate in the Department of Geological Sciences and a member of the Quaternary Research Center at the University of Washington

The 14C production rate in the upper atmosphere changes with time because the galactic cosmic-ray flux responsible for 14C production is modulated by the changes in solar wind magnetic properties. The resulting changes in the atmospheric 14C level are recorded in tree rings and are used to calculate past 14C production rates from a carbon reservoir model that describes terrestrial carbon exchange between the atmosphere, ocean, and biosphere. These past 14C production rate changes are compared with 14C production rates determined from 20th-century neutron flux measurements, and a theory relating 14C production and solar variability, as given by geomagnetic Aa indices and sunspot numbers, is developed. This theory takes into account long-term solar changes that were previously neglected. The 860-year 14C record indicates three episodes when sunspots apparently were absent: A.D. 1654 to 1714 (Maunder minimum), 1416 to 1534 (Spörer minimum), and 1282 to 1342 (Wolf minimum). A less precisely defined minimum occurred near A.D. 1040. The part of this record after A.D. 1645 correlates well with the basic features of the historical record of sunspot numbers. The magnitude of the calculated 14C production rates points to a further increase in cosmic-ray flux when sunspots are absent. This flux was greatest during the Spörer minimum. A record of approximate sunspot numbers and Aa indices for the current millennium is also presented.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Changes in solar activity and Holocene climatic shifts derived from 14C wiggle-match dated peat deposits.
D. Mauquoy, D. Mauquoy, B. van Geel, M. Blaauw, A. Speranza, and J. van der Plicht (2004)
The Holocene 14, 45-52
   Abstract »    PDF »
A 1000-year record of forest fire, drought and lake-level change in southeastern British Columbia, Canada.
D. J. Hallett, R. W. Mathewes, and R. C. Walker (2003)
The Holocene 13, 751-761
   Abstract »    PDF »
Persistent Solar Influence on North Atlantic Climate During the Holocene.
G. Bond, B. Kromer, J. Beer, R. Muscheler, M. N. Evans, W. Showers, S. Hoffmann, R. Lotti-Bond, I. Hajdas, and G. Bonani (2001)
Science 294, 2130-2136
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Response of climate to solar forcing recorded in a 6000-year{delta}18O time-series of Chinese peat cellulose.
Y. T. Hong, H. B. Jiang, T. S. Liu, L. P. Zhou, J. Beer, H. D. Li, X. T. Leng, B. Hong, and X. G. Qin (2000)
The Holocene 10, 1-7
   Abstract »    PDF »
Eight Centuries of North Atlantic Ocean Atmosphere Variability.
D. E. Black, L. C. Peterson, J. T. Overpeck, A. Kaplan, M. N. Evans, and M. Kashgarian (1999)
Science 286, 1709-1713
   Abstract »    Full Text »
Palaeoenvironmental evidence for solar forcing of Holocene climate: linkages to solar science.
F. M. Chambers, M. I. Ogle, and J. J. Blackford (1999)
Progress in Physical Geography 23, 181-204
   Abstract »    PDF »
On solar forcing of Holocene climate: evidence from Scandinavia.
W. Karlen and J. Kuylenstierna (1996)
The Holocene 6, 359-365
   Abstract »    PDF »
Behavior of the Heliosphere over Prolonged Solar Quiet Periods by 44Ti Measurements in Meteorites.
G. Bonino, G. C. Castagnoli, N. Bhandari, and C. Taricco (1995)
Science 270, 1648-1650
   Abstract »    PDF »
Sun, ocean, climate and atmospheric 14CO2 : an evaluation of causal and spectral relationships.
M. Stuiver, M. Stuiver, and T. F. Braziunas (1993)
The Holocene 3, 289-305
   Abstract »    PDF »
Accelerator Mass Spectrometry for Measurement of Long-Lived Radioisotopes.
D. Elmore, D. ELMORE, and F. M. PHILLIPS (1987)
Science 236, 543-550
   Abstract »    PDF »
The Magnetic Activity Sunlike Stars.
A. H. Vaughan (1984)
Science 225, 793-800
   Abstract »    PDF »
Holocene Timberline Fluctuations in Jasper National Park, Alberta.
M. S. Kearney, M. S. KEARNEY, and B. H. LUCKMAN (1983)
Science 221, 261-263
   Abstract »    PDF »
Banded Corals: Changes in Oceanic Carbon-14 During the Little Ice Age.
E. M. Druffel and E. M. Druffel (1982)
Science 218, 13-19
   Abstract »    PDF »
Solar variability as a contributing factor to Holocene climatic change.
L. D. D. Harvey and L.D. Danny Harvey (1980)
Progress in Physical Geography 4, 487-530
   PDF »
Regional 14CO2 Offsets in the Troposphere: Magnitude, Mechanisms, and Consequences.
B. Kromer, S. W. Manning, P. I. Kuniholm, M. W. Newton, M. Spurk, and I. Levin (2001)
Science 294, 2529-2532
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »


To Advertise     Find Products

Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)