Cape Grim isotope measurements — A preliminary assessment

Measurements of the stable carbon isotope ratio in atmospheric CO₂ permit a distinction between variations resulting from biospheric and oceanic exchange. In situ extraction of CO₂ from Cape Grim air (41°S) for isotopic analysis commenced in 1977; however difficulties with technique reliability were experienced until 1982. Since 1982, 2.6 years of relatively consistent values have accumulated.For a preliminary assessment of the latter data, estimates of the isotopic behaviour from the global transport and inter-reservoir exchange model of Pearman and Hyson (1985) have been employed. The assessment demonstrates the precision requirements of a carbon isotope monitoring program and the relevance of the isotope measurements as a constraint on parameterization of the model.Clear evidence of the changes due to fossil fuel combustion is seen in the year-to-year differences in ¹³C, with the mean and standard error of the overall trend being –0.025±0.005 yr^-1. A significant seasonal variation in ¹³C is apparent, despite considerable inter-annual variability possibly associated with the 1982/83 ENSO phenomena. The average peak-to-peak amplitude is 0.055±0.014 with a maximum on day 85±15 (approx. 26 March).There is some evidence for a complex seasonal inter-relationship between concentration and isotope ratio, both in the Cape Grim data and in Mook et al. (1983) South Pole data, but with marked differences between the stations, and with both different from the model estimates.In particular, the Cape Grim results suggest that exchange with Southern Hemisphere biosphere is the main contributor to the seasonal variation in isotope ratio at this latitude.