Tree rings as archives of atmospheric pollution by fossil carbon dioxide in bratislava

Results of radiocarbon (C-14) analysis of a tree-ring series from Bratislava, Slovakia, covering the period from 1970 to 2004 are presented. For a part of this time period, monthly C-14 measurements of atmospheric carbon dioxide from Bratislava sampling station are compared with the tree-ring results. The effects of fossil CO2 emissions on C-14 levels in the environment are emphasized by comparison with atmospheric clean air reference values (Schauinsland, Germany). The presented results from Bratislava are also set against the previously measured tree-ring series from Low Tatras mountain region in Slovakia, representing regional clean air radiocarbon levels in the biosphere. The observed C-14 levels of Bratislava tree rings and atmospheric CO2 in 1970s and 1980s are significantly lower than clean air data, indicating severe fossil CO2 pollution in Bratislava during this time period.