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NOAA/WDS Paleoclimatology - Western Tropical Pacific - Palau Archipelago, 1945-2008 CE, Porites lutea Coral D14C Data

browse graphicPaleoclimatology - Coral and Sclerosponge
This archived Paleoclimatology Study is available from the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), under the World Data Service (WDS) for Paleoclimatology. The associated NCEI study type is Coral. The data include parameters of corals and sclerosponges with a geographic location of Palau, Micronesia. The time period coverage is from 5 to -58 in calendar years before present (BP). See metadata information for parameter and study location details. Please cite this study when using the data.
  • Cite as: Glynn, D.S.; Druffel, E.R.M.; Griffin, S.M.; Dunbar, R.B.; Osborne, M.C.; Sanchez-Cabeza, J.-A. (2016-01-22): NOAA/WDS Paleoclimatology - Western Tropical Pacific - Palau Archipelago, 1945-2008 CE, Porites lutea Coral D14C Data. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. https://doi.org/10.25921/775a-rz50. Accessed [date].
  • Please refer to Credit tab for full citation information.
noaa-coral-19702
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DistributorNOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact Data Center Contact
NOAA World Data Service for Paleoclimatology
828-271-4800
paleo@noaa.gov
Coverage DescriptionDate Range: 1945 CE to 2008 CE; Date Range: 5 cal yr BP to -58 cal yr BP;
Time Period1945 to 2008
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
N: 7.2859
S: 7.2859
E: 134.2503
W: 134.2503
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Associated Resources
  • Early Bomb Radiocarbon Detected in Palau Archipelago Corals
    • Associated Reference published 2013
      Glynn, D.S., E.R.M. Druffel, S. Griffin, R. Dunbar, M. Osborne, and J.A. Sanchez-Cabeza, 2013: Early Bomb Radiocarbon Detected in Palau Archipelago Corals. Radiocarbon, 55, 1659-1664, 10.2458/azu_js_rc.55.16361
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2016-01-22
Data Presentation Form Digital table - digital representation of facts or figures systematically displayed, especially in columns
Dataset Progress StatusComplete - production of the data has been completed
Data Update Frequency Data update frequency not available
Supplemental Information
STUDY NOTES: Palau coral radiocarbon data from 1945 to 2008 CE, record of thermonuclear weapons testing in the Marshall Islands. Annual samples were collected from coral slabs UC-2-3 (1945-1982) and UC-3-2 (1982-2008) with annual growth varying from 1 to 1.5 cm. Seasonal samples were taken for the years 1953-1957 from slab UC-2-3. Seasonal samples were drilled every 1 mm. Radiocarbon values corrected for known age to 1950 according to convention (Stuiver and Polach 1977). Site depth is 12 m.
ABSTRACT SUPPLIED BY ORIGINATOR: In order to evaluate the variability in surface water masses in the western Pacific warm pool, we report high-precision radiocarbon measurements in annual and seasonal bands from Porites lutea corals collected from the Palau Archipelago (7°N, 134°E). Annual coral bands from 1945 to 2008 and seasonal samples from 1953 to 1957 were analyzed to capture the initial early input of bomb 14C from surface thermonuclear weapons testing in the Marshall Islands. Results show a pre-bomb average d14C value of –54.9‰ between 1945 and early 1953. Beginning early in 1954, there is a rapid increase to a maximum of –23.1‰ at the start of 1955. Values continued to rise after 1957 to a post-bomb peak of 141‰ by 1976. The large initial rise in d14C cannot be accounted for by air-sea CO2 exchange. Results therefore suggest that the primary cause of this increase is the lateral advection of fallout-contaminated water from the Marshall Islands to Palau via the North Equatorial Current and then to the North Equatorial Countercurrent.
PurposeRecords of past climate and ocean environment derived from stable isotope, trace metal, and other measurements made on corals and sclerosponges. Parameter keywords describe what was measured in this dataset. Additional summary information can be found in the abstracts of papers listed in the dataset citations.
Dataset Citation
  • Cite as: Glynn, D.S.; Druffel, E.R.M.; Griffin, S.M.; Dunbar, R.B.; Osborne, M.C.; Sanchez-Cabeza, J.-A. (2016-01-22): NOAA/WDS Paleoclimatology - Western Tropical Pacific - Palau Archipelago, 1945-2008 CE, Porites lutea Coral D14C Data. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. https://doi.org/10.25921/775a-rz50. Accessed [date].
  • Please cite original publication, online resource, dataset and publication DOIs (where available), and date accessed when using downloaded data. If there is no publication information, please cite investigator, title, online resource, and date accessed. The appearance of external links associated with a dataset does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Commerce/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of external Web sites or the information, products or services contained therein. For other than authorized activities, the Department of Commerce/NOAA does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. These links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of this Department of Commerce/NOAA Web site.
Cited Authors
  • Glynn, D.S.
  • Druffel, E.R.M.
  • Griffin, S.M.
  • Dunbar, R.B.
  • Osborne, M.C.
  • Sanchez-Cabeza, J.-A.
Originators
  • Glynn, D.S.
  • Druffel, E.R.M.
  • Griffin, S.M.
  • Dunbar, R.B.
  • Osborne, M.C.
  • Sanchez-Cabeza, J.-A.
Publishers
  • NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Theme keywordsGlobal Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
  • Earth Science > Climate Indicators > Paleoclimate Indicators > Biological Records > Coral Deposits
  • Earth Science > Climate Indicators > Paleoclimate Indicators > Ocean/Lake Records > Coral Deposits
  • Earth Science > Paleoclimate > Ocean/Lake Records > Coral Deposits
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
  • earth science > paleoclimate > corals and sclerosponges
  • earth science > paleoclimate > corals and sclerosponges
  • earth science > paleoclimate > corals and sclerosponges
  • earth science > paleoclimate > corals and sclerosponges > carbon isotopes
Paleoenvironmental Standard Terms (PaST) Thesaurus
  • What: age; Material: null
  • What: Delta 14C; Material: Porites lutea
  • What: Delta 14C; Material: Porites lutea
Data Center keywordsGlobal Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Place keywords
  • Ocean > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Micronesia > Palau > Ulong Channel > LATITUDE 7.2859 > LONGITUDE 134.2503
Use Constraints
  • Cite as: Glynn, D.S.; Druffel, E.R.M.; Griffin, S.M.; Dunbar, R.B.; Osborne, M.C.; Sanchez-Cabeza, J.-A. (2016-01-22): NOAA/WDS Paleoclimatology - Western Tropical Pacific - Palau Archipelago, 1945-2008 CE, Porites lutea Coral D14C Data. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. https://doi.org/10.25921/775a-rz50. Accessed [date].
  • Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose
  • Please cite original publication, online resource, dataset and publication DOIs (where available), and date accessed when using downloaded data. If there is no publication information, please cite investigator, title, online resource, and date accessed. The appearance of external links associated with a dataset does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Commerce/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of external Web sites or the information, products or services contained therein. For other than authorized activities, the Department of Commerce/NOAA does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. These links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of this Department of Commerce/NOAA Web site.
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Last Modified: 2025-08-22
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