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The Holocene
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Seasonality of {delta}13C and C/N ratios in modern and mid-Holocene sediments in the Severn Estuary Levels, SW Britain

John R.L. Allen

Department of Archaeology, School of Human and Environmental Sciences, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading RG6 6AB, UK, j.r.l.allen{at}reading.ac.uk

Angela L. Lamb

NERC Isotope Geosciences Laboratory, British Geological Survey, Keyworth, Nottingham NG12 5GG, UK

Petra Dark

Department of Archaeology, School of Human and Environmental Sciences, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading RG6 6AB, UK

Bulk organic {delta}13C and C/N ratios from mid-Holocene salt-marsh deposits with sedimentary banding reveal subtle but significant differences between coarse- and fine-grained deposits. These are consistent with findings from seasonally sampled modern silts, and with the interpretation, on physical and palynological grounds, of the fine-grained and coarse-grained components as warm-season and cold-season deposits, respectively. The control is considered to be seasonal variations in the character of the organic matter supplied.

Key Words: Severn Estuary • Holocene estuarine silts • {delta}13C and C/N values • seasonal effects

References

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The Holocene, Vol. 17, No. 1, 139-144 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/0959683607073296
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