Radiocarbon dilution effects induced by industrial settlements in southern Italy

Accelerator mass spectrometry radiocarbon measurements have been carried out on vegetables (C3 and C4 grass) collected in the area surrounding the coal-fired power plant in Cerano (Brindisi, southern Italy) and in the industrial district of Taranto (southern Italy). A depletion of the radiocarbon concentration, with respect to “clean air” reference sites, due to the combustion of fossil fuels and the following release of “14C-free” carbon dioxide into the atmosphere has been measured for both sites. In particular for the site of Cerano the measured values have been related to atmospheric circulation data such as the direction of the prevalent winds.