Using the N/C ratio to correct bulk radiocarbon ages from lake sediments: Insights from Chilean Patagonia

The offset between AMS radiocarbon ages obtained on bulk lake sediments and the true age of deposition was evaluated at four sites in Northern Chilean Patagonia. Our results show that the bulk radiocarbon ages are systematically older by 300 to 1100 years. In this region free of carbonate and carbonaceous rocks, we argue that this difference results from variable inputs of terrestrial organic carbon from the Holocene soils that cover the lake watersheds. For the four studied lakes, the age offset is clearly related to the fraction of terrestrial carbon preserved in the lake sediments, which was estimated using the N/C ratio of the bulk organic matter. We propose that N/C measurements can be used to significantly improve chronologies based on radiocarbon dating of bulk lake sediments.

► Bulk radiocarbon ages from Patagonian lake sediments are compared to true age of deposition. ► Bulk radiocarbon ages are systematically older by 300 to 1100 years. ► The age offset is proportional to the fraction of terrestrial carbon. ► N/C measurements can be used to improve chronologies based on bulk radiocarbon dating.