The isotopic signature of planktonic foraminifera from NE Atlantic surface sediments: implications for the reconstruction of past oceanic conditions

Ganssen, G.M.; Kroon, Dirk

doi:10.1144/jgs.157.3.693

Cited by 137 publications

(165 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Peak fluxes are calculated for spring (March) with high fluxes occurring first in more southerly parts around 40 • N in January/February and then migrating northward through March and April. Thus our model might confirm results from isotopic studies on NE-Atlantic surface sediments by Ganssen and Kroon (2000), who classified G. bulloides as a species typical of the spring bloom rather than reflecting summer temperatures.…”

Section: Pitfalls and Potential Of The Modelsupporting

confidence: 87%

“…However, there is often a significant seasonal bias in foraminiferal species fluxes to the seafloor, which is crucial for paleoceanographic interpretations of the proxy data (e.g. Deuser and Ross, 1989;Wefer, 1989;Mulitza et al, 1998;Ganssen and Kroon, 2000;King and Howard, 2001;Pflaumann et al, 2003;Waelbroeck et al, 2005). For example, Niebler et al (2003) suggested, that discrepancies in temperature reconstructions applying foraminifera-versus alkenone-based proxies might be due to different ecological and thus seasonal preferences of the shell producers.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Global prediction of planktic foraminiferal fluxes from hydrographic and productivity data

2006

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Abstract. Understanding and quantifying the seasonal and spatial distribution of planktic foraminiferal fluxes reflected in sedimentary assemblages is key to interpret foraminiferabased proxies in paleoceanography. Towards this goal we present an empirical model to predict foraminiferal fluxes on a global scale.A compilation of planktic foraminiferal flux and export production data from globally distributed sediment traps together with environmental data of sea-surface temperature and mixed-layer depth from online databases is used to calibrate the model that calculates monthly foraminiferal fluxes for the 18 most common species. The calibrated model is then forced with a global data set of hydrographic and productivity data to predict monthly foraminiferal fluxes worldwide. The predictive skills of the model are assessed by comparing the model output with planktic foraminiferal assemblages from globally distributed surface sediments as well as with measured foraminiferal fluxes of sediment traps not included in the calibration data set.Many general distribution patterns of foraminiferal species recognized from the model output compare favorably with observations from coretops or sediment traps, even though the model still produces problematic results in some places. Among others, meridional gradients in species richness and diversity, increased relative abundances of Neogloboquadrina pachyderma (dex.) in upwelling areas, and peak abundances of Globigerinella siphonifera in oligotrophic subtropical gyres show good agreement between model and coretops. Absolute foraminiferal fluxes are significantly underestimated in most cases, while seasonal variations can be reproduced for some species. Interannual differences in foraminiferal fluxes are not reflected by the model which might partly be due to a lack of actual environmental data for the calibration and model experiments.Correspondence to: S.Žarić (zaric@uni-bremen.de)The limited predictive skills of the model suggest that additional parameters should be considered. Export production should probably be replaced by a more realistic representation of food availability for planktic foraminifera. This could be achieved by adding a dynamic component to the model and linking it to an ecosystem model.

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Section: Pitfalls and Potential Of The Modelsupporting

confidence: 87%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Global prediction of planktic foraminiferal fluxes from hydrographic and productivity data

2006

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“…On average, 5 specimens of the epifaunal benthic foraminifer Cibicidoides wuellerstorfi from the size fraction 250-500 µm and 15 specimens of the planktic foraminifers Globigerinoides ruber (white) and Globogerinoides bulloides were taken for each analysis. Whereas G. ruber mainly reflects summer surface conditions (Ganssen and Kroon, 2000), G. bulloides indicates in the lower latitudes more temperate and colder conditions of surface water masses. Iron (Fe) concentrations in the sediment as a proxy for aeolian input to the core site were measured on the half core in 2 cm steps using the X-ray fluorescence (XRF) corescanner (Röhl and Abrams, 2000;Haug et al, 2001) at the University of Bremen, Germany.…”

Section: The Core Material Methods and Chronologymentioning

confidence: 98%

Uniform climate development between the subtropical and subpolar Northeast Atlantic across marine isotope stage 11

et al. 2008

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Abstract. Proxy records from a core site off Northwest Africa were generated and compared with data from the subpolar Northeast Atlantic to unravel some main climatic features of interglacial marine isotope stage (MIS) 11 (423-362 ka). The records point to an almost 25 kyr lasting full interglacial period during stage 11 that was preceded by a considerably long glacial-interglacial transition (Termination V). Off NW Africa, a strong reduction of terrestrially derived iron input is noted after 420 ka suggesting a pronounced increase in continental humidity and vegetation cover over Northwest Africa. In analogy to the Holocene climate of the region, this early wet phase of MIS 11 was likely associated with enhanced influence of the West African monsoon system on the Saharan-Sahel region which led to both a reduction in trade wind intensity off NW Africa and the formation of sapropel S11 in the Mediterranean Sea. A detailed comparison with data from the subpolar North Atlantic indicates a remarkable coherent timing for the main environmental changes in both regions giving evidence for strong interglacial climate connection between the low and high latitude North Atlantic. Although our records of MIS 11 compare well with the Holocene in terms of some major climate characteristics there are distinct differences in the temporal evolution of each peak warm interval. This suggests that care should be taken when using MIS 11 as analogue to forecast future interglacial conditions.

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“…c Schiebel et al (1997); Ganssen and Kroon (2000) d Ottens (1992); Came et al (2007) e Data from the North Atlantic at 44.96 • N, 42.08 • W, 4 m water-depth (Ostlund et al, 1987 …”

Section: Seawatermentioning

confidence: 99%

Persistent influence of ice sheet melting on high northern latitude climate during the early Last Interglacial

et al. 2012

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Abstract. Although the Last Interglacial (LIG) is often considered as a possible analogue for future climate in high latitudes, its precise climate evolution and associated causes remain uncertain. Here we compile high-resolution marine sediment records from the North Atlantic, Labrador Sea, Norwegian Sea and the Southern Ocean. We document a delay in the establishment of peak interglacial conditions in the North Atlantic, Labrador and Norwegian Seas as compared to the Southern Ocean. In particular, we observe a persistent iceberg melting at high northern latitudes at the beginning of the LIG. It is associated with (1) colder and fresher surfacewater conditions in the North Atlantic, Labrador and Norwegian Seas, and (2) a weaker ventilation of North Atlantic deep waters during the early LIG (129-125 ka) compared to the late LIG. Results from an ocean-atmosphere coupled model with insolation as a sole forcing for three key periods of the LIG show warmer North Atlantic surface waters and stronger Atlantic overturning during the early LIG (126 ka) than the late LIG (122 ka). Hence, insolation variations alone do not explain the delay in peak interglacial conditions observed at high northern latitudes. Additionally, we consider an idealized meltwater scenario at 126 ka where the freshwater input is interactively computed in response to the high boreal summer insolation. The model simulates colder, fresher North Atlantic surface waters and weaker Atlantic overturning during the early LIG (126 ka) compared to the late LIG (122 ka). This result suggests that both insolation and ice sheet melting have to be considered to reproduce the climatic pattern that we identify during the early LIG. Our modeldata comparison also reveals a number of limitations and reinforces the need for further detailed investigations using coupled climate-ice sheet models and transient simulations.

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The isotopic signature of planktonic foraminifera from NE Atlantic surface sediments: implications for the reconstruction of past oceanic conditions

Cited by 137 publications

References 10 publications

Global prediction of planktic foraminiferal fluxes from hydrographic and productivity data

Global prediction of planktic foraminiferal fluxes from hydrographic and productivity data

Uniform climate development between the subtropical and subpolar Northeast Atlantic across marine isotope stage 11

Persistent influence of ice sheet melting on high northern latitude climate during the early Last Interglacial

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