39Ar dating with small samples provides new key constraints on ocean ventilation

Sven Ebser (), Arne Kersting, Tim Stöven, Zhongyi Feng, Lisa Ringena, Maximilian Schmidt, Toste Tanhua, Werner Aeschbach and Markus K. Oberthaler
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Sven Ebser: Heidelberg University
Arne Kersting: Heidelberg University
Tim Stöven: GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel
Zhongyi Feng: Heidelberg University
Lisa Ringena: Heidelberg University
Maximilian Schmidt: Heidelberg University
Toste Tanhua: GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel
Werner Aeschbach: Heidelberg University
Markus K. Oberthaler: Heidelberg University

Nature Communications, 2018, vol. 9, issue 1, 1-7

Abstract: Abstract Ocean ventilation is the integrated effect of various processes that exchange surface properties with the ocean interior and is essential for oxygen supply, storage of anthropogenic carbon and the heat budget of the ocean, for instance. Current observational methods utilise transient tracers, e.g. tritium, SF6, CFCs and 14C. However, their dating ranges are not ideal to resolve the centennial-dynamics of the deep ocean, a gap filled by the noble gas isotope 39Ar with a half-life of 269 years. Its broad application has been hindered by its very low abundance, requiring 1000 L of water for dating. Here we show successful 39Ar dating with 5 L of water based on the atom-optical technique Atom Trap Trace Analysis. Our data reveal previously not quantifiable ventilation patterns in the Tropical Atlantic, where we find that advection is more important for the ventilation of the intermediate depth range than previously assumed. Now, the demonstrated analytical capabilities allow for a global collection of 39Ar data, which will have significant impact on our ability to quantify ocean ventilation.

Date: 2018
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-07465-7

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