Applications of the Data

The GEOSECS program has generated a sequential series of data sets from several ocean regions which are critical to gaining a better understanding of large scale oceanic transport and mixing. The GEOSECS radiocarbon data were used to establish the gross rate of deep-ocean circulation. Stuiver et al. (1983) summarized these data and concluded that replacement times of the waters below 1500 meters in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans are, respectively about 275, 250, and 510 years. These radiocarbon data also reflect the general trend of deep circulation from the Atlantic to the other oceans and are of value in establishing parameters in multidimensional ocean models.