Lacustrine Bulk Organic δ¹³C in the British Isles during the Last Glacial-Holocene Transition (14–9 ka ¹⁴C BP)

Abstract

Bulk organic δ¹³C records are presented from five last glacial-Holocene transition lacustrine sequences (14–9 ka ¹⁴C BP) on a north-south transect across the British Isles. The data confirm that bulk organic δ¹³C is an amalgam of processes operating within the catchment and lake systems. Significant shifts in bulk organic δ¹³C values are recorded across important climatic boundaries, though their synchroneity is questionable. Either the shifts are not observed at the sites or they do not appear to be synchronous, suggesting that site-specific factors play an important role. Potential controls are discussed within the context of climatic change in the North Atlantic region.