Variations in tree ring stable isotope records from northern Finland and their possible connection to solar activity

Within a project on climate in Europe during the past few hundred years we have collected a record on stable isotope ratios 13C/12C and 18O/16O in tree ring cellulose from pine trees in northern Finland. The records cover the time interval 1600–2002 AD and have an annual time resolution. The carbon stable isotope record from northernmost Finland correlates quite strongly with local growth period temperature. Statistical analysis of the carbon and oxygen stable isotope records reveals variations in the periods around 100, 11 and 3 years. A century scale connection between the 13C/12C record and solar activity is most evident. These results based on stable isotope records support previous evidences of a centennial solar-climatic link obtained for northern Finland using tree ring data.