ΔR Correction Values for the Northern Indian Ocean

Abstract

Apparent marine radiocarbon ages are reported for the northern Indian Ocean region for the pre-nuclear period, based on measurements made in seven mollusk shells collected between 1930 and 1954. The conventional 14 C ages of these shells range from 693 ± 44 to 434 ± 51 BP in the Arabian Sea and 511 ± 34 to 408 ± 51 BP in the Bay of Bengal. These ages correspond to mean ΔR correction values of 163 ± 30 yr for the northern Arabian Sea, 11 ± 35 yr for the eastern Bay of Bengal (Andaman Sea) and 32 ± 20 yr for the southern Bay of Bengal. Contrasting reservoir ages for these two basins are most likely due to differences in their thermocline ventilation rates.