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Palaeotemperatures from tree rings and the D/H ratio of cellulose as a biochemical thermometer

Nature volume 257, pages 387–388 (1975)Cite this article

Abstract

DENDROCHRONOLOGY can provide sequences of tree rings from various parts of the world. The wood making up these rings can be accurately dated to ±1 yr. Samples can be obtained going back a considerable time, for example wood from Pinus aristata (Bristle Cone Pine) trees can be obtained which goes back beyond 9,000 yr BP. If the isotopic ratios of the elements in the individual constituents in the wood contain a record of past climate, it may enable a curve of a climatic variable like temperature to be determined on a time base accurate to ±1 yr.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chemistry Department, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand

    A. T. WILSON & M. J. GRINSTED

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  1. A. T. WILSON
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  2. M. J. GRINSTED
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WILSON, A., GRINSTED, M. Palaeotemperatures from tree rings and the D/H ratio of cellulose as a biochemical thermometer. Nature 257, 387–388 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1038/257387a0

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