STABLE ISOTOPE RATIOS OF DISSOLVED INORGANIC CARBON IN ATLANTIC

δ 13C values of oceanic inorganic carbon from six stations in the North and South Atlantic vary between - 1 and + 2%. relative to the PDB standard. A correlation between the concentration of dissolved oxygen and δ 13C is observed at all stations below the top meters. The correlation is due to the oxidation of organic matter depleted in 13C. The extent of the isotope shift in the dissolved inorganic carbon is a measure of the amount of organic carbon oxidized. © 1969.