Using ¹⁴C of tree rings to study CO2 emissions from fossil sources in Beijing

Full text: The study of fossil fuel-derived CO2 is important to understanding urban carbon emissions, which can help us to devise strategies to reduce emission. Using accelerator mass spectrometry to measure ¹⁴C of cedar tree rings near Beijing's North Fourth Ring Road, the emission trends of large burned fossil sources during the process of Beijing's urbanization were analyzed and studied. The results show that the concentration of ¹⁴C has a decreasing trend, and is positively correlated with the burning of a large number of fossil fuels in the economic and social development. Because burning large amounts of ¹⁴C-free fossil fuels emits CO₂ and dilutes the concentration of CO₂ in the atmosphere. This study lays a foundation for further research on the tracer application of ¹⁴C in the environment.