Radiocarbon dating of diatom-bound organic compounds

Here we present a new method for obtaining radiocarbon dates for the organic compounds intrinsic to diatom frustules. This method will improve age models for sediment cores that lack calcium carbonate and improve current interpretations of diatom-based paleoproxies. In preparation for radiocarbon dating by Accelerator Mass Spectrometry, compounds intrinsic to diatom frustules are released from their opal matrix by dissolution in HF and then purified using preparative liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The method was applied to one sample from each of three cores (NBP9802 Station 7 GC2; TN057-13 PC4; Ell-2) and a plankton tow (CRS 746, FOODBANCS) collected in the Southern Ocean. In each sample, radiocarbon ages of diatom-bound organic compounds differed from those obtained from foraminiferal CaCO3. Agreement between the foraminifera and compound-specific date was best in cores Ell-2 and TN057-13. In contrast, compound-specific C-14 ages obtained from NBP9802 differed substantially from those measured for foraminiferal CaCO3. The influence of background contamination was assessed throughout all stages of the method and cannot be responsible for the discrepancy observed. Possible reasons for the disagreement between the ages of foraminifera and diatom-bound compounds are discussed in the context of sediment dynamics. These preliminary results suggest that our diatom-based dating method represents a major step forward in our ability interpret sediment records in the Southern Ocean and therefore our understanding of the role of the Southern Ocean in past climate. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.