Carbon-13 in alpha-cellulose of oak latewood (Jędrzejów, Southern Poland) during the Maunder Minimum

We have studied the δ13C signature in latewood alpha-cellulose of an ancient oak (Quercus robur L.) from a Cisterian Abbey belfry in Jędrzejów (Southern Poland). The time scale for the delta 13C record during 1631-1765 AD was built on the basis of detailed dendrochronology studies. Techniques available for extraction of alpha-cellulose from small samples have been used, the mean value of alpha-cellulose extraction efficiency being ca. 35%. In the delta 13C record of alpha-cellulose the cooling between 1650-1700 AD is clearly visible as a decrease of about 1.5‰. This period is consistent with the interval of the lowest solaractivity between 1645 and 1715 AD, which is known as the Maunder Minimum. Anti-correlation between δ13C and δ13C during the Maunder Minimum was observed but δ13C record is delayed by about 30 years with respect to the Maunder Minimum.