Stable Isotope Dendroclimatology

This book is the unique attempt to combine current knowledge of theoretical and experimental plant physiological causes of isotope fractionations with the most recent understanding of the natural variability of isotopes in tree rings. Based on these fundamentals the application of tree-ring isotopes to climate and palaeoclimte studies is discussed including problems of ongoing pollution effects which complicate calibration studies. Since many investigations require large numbers of samples sampling strategies are addressed carefully in order not to lose any options for later analyses. A final chapter on recent technological developments in the treatment and measurement of isotopes completes the book.

Gerhard Schleser?was head of the Institute of Sedimentary Systems of the Forschungszentrum Julich, FZJ, Germanyfor many years and retired from this position in September 2005. He studied physics at the universities of of Cologne and Kiel. After three years with the Atomic Energy Establishment, UK, he returned to Germany and received his PhD from the RWTH Aachen. He has 25 years experience in the application of stable isotopes in various fields and has participated in numerous projects funded by the EU and the German Science Foundation (DFG). As a professor at the University of Cologne he is still giving lectures in the field of stable isotopes. Gerhard Helle is senior scientist and head of the stable isotope dendroclimatology group at the Forschungszentrum Julich, FZJ, GermanyNeil Loader?is a research fellow in Geography at the Prifysgol Cymru Aertawe/University of Wales Swansea. UK.Iain Robertson is aresearch fellow in Geography at the Prifysgol Cymru Abertawe/University of Wales Swansea. UK.Steven Leavitt is a Professor at the University of Arizona, Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research in Tucson, Arizona (USA). In addition to research on stable isotopes in tree rings, he is editor of the journal Tree-Ring Research.