New Delta R values for the southwest Pacific Ocean

DeltaR results of known-age shells from the Solomon and Coral Seas and the northwest coast of New Ireland are presented. The results are too few to be conclusive but indicate that DeltaR in this region is variable. An average DeltaR value of 370 +/- 25 yr is recorded for a range of shell species from Kavieng Harbor, New Ireland, and is primarily attributed to weak equatorial upwelling of depleted C-14 due to seasonal current reversals. In contrast, values from the Solomon and Coral Seas are lower (average DeltaR = 45 +/- 19 yr). Higher DeltaR values for some shellfish from these 2 seas is attributed to ingestion of C-14-depleted sediment by deposit-feeding species.