The regional component (∆R) of the marine reservoir effect (MRE), which is crucial for the accurate calibration of radiocarbon ages of marine-influenced samples, was determined for the Cuban northwestern coast. Fifteen different locations were studied by 14C dating of pre-bomb known-age marine shells specimens of bivalves and gastropods from the Felipe Poey Museum collection. Accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) 14C measurements were performed at the Radiocarbon Laboratory of the Universidade Federal Fluminense (LAC-UFF) and mean ΔR values were estimated. The distribution of results indicates ∆R values from −46±38 to 140±52 14C yr and a possible pattern related to the position along the coast and ocean dynamics. We present both mean values for each region and a general ∆R of 28±13 14C yr for the northwestern coast of Cuba.
