Temporal changes in radiocarbon reservoir age in the dead sea-Lake Lisan system

The Holocene Dead Sea and the late Pleistocene Lake Lisan were characterized by varying radiocarbon reservoir ages ranging between 6 and 2 ka in the Dead Sea and between 2 ka and zero in Lake Lisan. These changes reflect the hydrological, conditions in the drainage system as well as residence time of ¹⁴C in the mixed surface layer of the lake and its lower brine. Long-term isolation of the lower brine led to 14C decay and an increase in the reservoir age. Yet, enhanced runoff input with atmospheric ¹⁴C brings the reservoir age down. The highest reservoir age of 6 ka was recorded after the sharp fall of the Dead Sea at -8.1 ka cal BP. The lower reservoir age of zero was recorded between 36 and 32 ka cal BP, when the Lake Lisan mixed layer was frequently replenished by runoff.