Prof. Susan E. Trumbore, Ph.D.
Max-Planck-Institut für Biogeochemie
Abteilung Biogeochemische Prozesse
Hans-Knöll-Str. 10
07745 Jena

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Insights into terrestrial carbon cycling from bomb radiocarbon

Abstract: Radiocarbon produced by atmospheric weapons testing fifty years ago gave us a global isotope pulse-chase experiment for the earth’s carbon cycle. Following this tracer through plant and soil carbon reservoirs is one of our main tools for understanding the dynamics of the terrestrial C cycle on decadal timescales. At the same time, these data provide useful new insights into basic ecology and plant physiology that can be used to improve understanding of feedbacks between the terrestrial C cycle and climate.  [PDF]