PRE-BOMB MARINE RESERVOIR VARIABILITY IN THE KIMBERLEY REGION, WESTERN AUSTRALIA

New Delta R values are presented for 10 known-age shells from the Kimberley region of northwest Australia. Previous estimates of Delta R for the Kimberley region are based on only 6 individual shell specimens with dates of live collection known only to within 50 yr (Bowman 1985a). Here, we describe the results of our recent attempts to constrain Delta R variability for this region by dating a suite of known-age pre-AD 1950 shell samples from the Australian Museum and Museum Victoria. A regional Delta R of 58 +/- 17 C-14 yr for open waters between Broome and Cape Leveque is recommended based on 7 of these specimens. The criteria used to select shells for dating and inclusion in the regional mean are discussed.