Fluctuations of the calcite compensation depth (CCD) in the East Sea (Sea of Japan)

Variations in the calcite compensation depth (CCD) in the East Sea (Sea of Japan) since the early middle Miocene were inferred from data on age-depth relationships, sediment carbonate, and benthic foraminifers from ODP sites 794, 795, and 797. The CCD remained relatively shallow during much of the middle Miocene–Pliocene, and deepened sharply at the beginning of the Pleistocene. Since then it has fluctuated rapidly, possibly in relation to the onset of the northern hemisphere glacial cycles in the late Pliocene. The average CCD has deepened since at least the early middle Miocene, coinciding with the long-term drop in eustatic sea level. Received: 5 November 1998 / Revision accepted: 2 February 2000     

Extremely deep-draft iceberg scouring in the glacial North Atlantic Ocean

Side-scan sonar and sub-bottom profiling investigations of the Iceland-Faeroe Ridge have revealed the widespread presence of iceberg plowmarks at water depths between 750 and 860 m. This is well beyond the maximum water depth reported for ice scouring in the adjacent areas of the North Atlantic. An exceptionally deep iceberg plowmark was found at the southern flank of the ridge, which could be traced down to 940 m water depth. Supported by published nearby sediment core data, a Saalian (MIS 6) age of that iceberg plowmark is suggested. Considering a glacial sea level of 120 m below present, the paleo-draft of this iceberg is estimated to have been at least 820 m. The keel depth of such giant icebergs drifting in the glacial northern North Atlantic significantly exceeds the draft dimensions of large icebergs seen today in the Antarctic. The most likely source area for this extreme deep-draft type of iceberg is inferred to be southern Greenland. Plowmark direction, which in our case indicates iceberg entrainment by the North Atlantic Current, is suggested to be a useful indicator of (sub)surface paleo-circulation during late Pleistocene iceberg surging and deglaciation episodes.     

Decadal variability in the composition of Faroe Shetland Channel bottom water

Two standard sections across the deep water channel separating the Faroese Plateau from the Scottish continental shelf have been surveyed regularly since the start of the 20th century. There have been significant changes in the characteristics of surface, intermediate and deep water masses during this period. At intermediate depths, the presence of Norwegian Sea Arctic Intermediate Water (NSAIW) was evident as a salinity minimum during the first decade of the century. During the decades 1960–1980 this salinity minimum disappeared, and only four water types were identified in the Channel. Since 1980 the salinity of the intermediate water has again decreased, due to changes in the atmospheric forcing over the Nordic Seas, and it is again evident on a θS curve as a distinct minimum. The salinity of the bottom water in the Channel has also decreased (0.01/decade) linearly since the mid-1970s, although at a slower rate than the intermediate water (0.02/decade). The decline in salinity of the bottom water cannot be accounted for by changes in the salinity of upper Norwegian Sea Deep Water (NSDW), which Faroe Shetland Channel Bottom Water (FSCBW) has traditionally been assumed to be composed of. There is evidence that the upper level of NSDW has become deeper outside the Channel owing to a reduced supply from the Greenland Sea. This has resulted in a change in the composition of FSCBW, from being approximately 60% NSDW during the period 1970–1985 to 40% NSDW since 1990. Thus, the thermohaline circulation of the Nordic Seas has lost its deep water connection. The associated freshening of FSCBW has propagated out through the Channel into the North Atlantic and has resulted in a reduction of the salinity (0.02/decade) and transport (1–7%/decade) of Iceland Scotland Overflow Water (ISOW) into the North Atlantic.     

Late Quaternary growth and decay of the Svalbard/Barents Sea ice sheet and paleoceanographic evolution in the adjacent Arctic Ocean

The paleoceanography in the Nordic seas was characterized by apparently repeated switching on and off of Atlantic water advection. In contrast, a continous influx of Atlantic waters probably occurred along the northern Barents Sea margin during the last 150?ka. Temporary ice-free conditions enhanced by subsurface Atlantic water advection and coastal polynyas accelerated the final ice sheet build-up during glacial times. The virtually complete dissolution of biogenic calcite during interglacial intervals was controlled mainly by CO2-rich bottom waters and oxidation of higher levels of marine organic carbon and indicates intensive Atlantic water inflow and a stable ice margin.     

Glacial-interglacial relationship between carbonate components and sediment reflectance in the North Atlantic

A high-resolution composite sediment record from intermediate water depths in the North Atlantic, dating back to marine isotope stage (MIS) 13, was investigated in order to determine the relationship between sediment reflectance (gray level%) and carbonate content (weight%). For this purpose, a detailed analysis of the coarse (>20 µm) and fine (<20 µm) carbonate components was carried out to assess which of the two carbonate components drives glacial-interglacial changes in sediment gray level. The results indicate that the bulk carbonate component is clearly dominated by the fine carbonate fraction, regardless of glacial or interglacial climatic mode, suggesting that the sediment gray level is usually controlled by fluctuations of the fine carbonate content. However, a comparison of MIS 1 and 5.5 indicates that, besides this difference in the contents of the two carbonate size fractions, changing modes in carbonate preservation, i.e., the preservational state of planktonic Foraminifera, may also have a profound influence on total sediment reflectance.     

Late Quaternary growth and decay of the Svalbard/Barents Sea ice sheet and paleoceanographic evolution in the adjacent Arctic Ocean

 The paleoceanography in the Nordic seas was characterized by apparently repeated switching on and off of Atlantic water advection. In contrast, a continous influx of Atlantic waters probably occurred along the northern Barents Sea margin during the last 150 ka. Temporary ice-free conditions enhanced by subsurface Atlantic water advection and coastal polynyas accelerated the final ice sheet build-up during glacial times. The virtually complete dissolution of biogenic calcite during interglacial intervals was controlled mainly by CO₂-rich bottom waters and oxidation of higher levels of marine organic carbon and indicates intensive Atlantic water inflow and a stable ice margin. Received: 25 February 1997 / Revision received: 4 March 1998     

Hydrography and through-flow in the north-eastern North Atlantic Ocean: the NANSEN project

The circulation and hydrography of the north-eastern North Atlantic has been studied with an emphasis on the upper layers and the deep water types which take part in the thermohaline overturning of the Oceanic Conveyor Belt. Over 900 hydrographic stations were used for this study, mainly from the 1987–1991 period. The hydrographic properties of Subpolar Mode Water in the upper layer, which is transported towards the Norwegian Sea, showed large regional variation. The deep water mass was dominated by the cold inflow of deep water from the Norwegian Sea and by a cyclonic recirculation of Lower Deep Water with a high Antarctic Bottom Water content. At intermediate levels the dominating water type was Labrador Sea Water with only minor influence of Mediterranean Sea Water. In the permanent pycnocline traces of Antarctic Intermediate Water were found.Geostrophic transports have been estimated, and these agreed in order of magnitude with the local heat budget, with current measurements, with data from surface drifters, and with the observed water mass modification. A total of 23 Sv of surface water entered the region, of which 20 Sv originated from the North Atlantic Current, while 3 Sv entered via an eastern boundary current. Of this total, 13 Sv of surface water left the area across the Reykjanes Ridge, and 7 Sv entered the Norwegian Sea, while 3 Sv was entrained by the cold overflow across the Iceland-Scotland Ridge. Approximately 1.4 Sv of Norwegian Sea Deep Water was involved in the overflow into the Iceland Basin, which, with about 1.1 Sv of entrained water and 1.1 Sv recirculating Lower Deep Water, formed a deep northern boundary current in the Iceland Basin. At intermediate depths, where Labrador Sea Water formed the dominant water type, about 2 Sv of entrained surface water contributed to a saline water mass which was transported westwards along the south Icelandic slope.     

Mediterranean functioning and sapropel formation: respective influences of climate and hydrological changes in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean

During Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Legs 160 and 161, sapropels were recovered both in the western and eastern Mediterranean. This obliges to a reassessment of the previous studies focused on sapropels from only the eastern Mediterranean, and to consider the changes which occurred in the Mediterranean climate but also in the water characteristics both in the Atlantic and in the western Mediterranean. In the North Atlantic, the position of the polar front which migrated southwards during glacial times and the melting of northern ice caps during interglacial periods, together with the convection in the Labrador and Norwegian Seas, appear essential to control the salinities of the waters facing the Strait of Gibraltar. The salinities of the surface and intermediate layers constitute the first driving force of the Mediterranean dynamics, the second driving force being the Mediterranean climate. The stagnation of deep waters leading to sapropel deposition in the western Mediterranean may be explained by a drastic weakening of the density difference between Mediterranean outflow and Atlantic intermediate waters facing the Strait of Gibraltar. This weakening was induced primarily by the salinity decrease of Atlantic surface water and secondly by a rather high salinity in the Atlantic intermediate layer, rather than by a drastic deterioration of the Mediterranean climate. This scenario probably concerns most of the sapropel events and it may be used for the knowledge of Atlantic and Mediterranean functioning over climatic changes.     

Micropaleontological,mineralogical, and geochemical record in late quaternary cores from abyssal Grenada Basin

Clay mineralogy and trace-element geochemistry of two abyssal cores indicate that the primary source of surface-current-transported detrital material in the southern Grenada Basin changed from a continental, South American terrane to a volcanic, Lesser Antillean terrane at the end of the Pleistocene. The record of benthic foraminiferal assemblages demonstrates that the Caribbean Bottom Water (CBW) was relatively oxygen poor and less corrosive in late Pleistocene glacial times than in interglacial times. The change in the properties of CBW in the Holocene was related to a renewed influx of North Atlantic Deep Water in the Caribbean.     

Early interglacial bottom-current sedimentation on the eastern Reykjanes Ridge

Unusual late deglacial/early interglacial sedimentation rates following the last two glaciations have been detected from three cores on the eastern Reykjanes Ridge. Morphologic, textural, and mineralogic evidence pinpoint bottom currents as the process responsible for these unusual depositional rates, which rise at first to 10–40 times the regional mean, and then subside slightly to values still 2–5 times the norm. A portion of the lutite excesses in the interglacial sediment of these cores is accounted for by input of fine detritus eroded from subaerially exposed and isostatically uplifted Icelandic basalts. For the most part, however, the extraordinary depositional rates late in the deglacial periods are caused by erosion and redistribution of previously deposited glacialage sediments. We infer that reinitiation of overflow of deep water into the Atlantic due to deglacial removal of the Norwegian Sea ice cover triggered a strong bottom-current flow that dislodged sediment from exposed sites. The deglacial intensification of the deep circulation thus left a major sedimentological imprint on the sediments of the eastern Reykjanes Ridge.     

大西洋经向翻转环流对岁差响应的气候背景依赖性

大西洋经向翻转环流（Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation,AMOC）是气候系统重要的组成部分,其强度变化可直接影响南北半球的热量分配,厘清其变化机理对全球变暖背景下的未来预估至关重要。海洋沉积物记录发现,在晚更新世,AMOC的变化与地球岁差周期有紧密联系,但其物理机理尚不清楚。本文利用海洋-大气耦合气候模型—COSMOS(ECHAM5/JSBACH/MPIOM)模型,通过敏感试验,分析在冰盛期冷期和间冰期暖期气候背景下,AMOC对地球岁差变化的响应机理。结果表明：岁差降低引起的北半球夏季太阳辐射增强,会导致间冰期暖期背景下的AMOC显著减弱,但对冰盛期AMOC的影响并不明显。通过进一步分析发现,在间冰期暖期,夏季太阳辐射增强,造成高低纬大西洋海表的升温,同时促进北大西洋高纬度地区的局地降水,两者导致北大西洋表层海水密度降低,共同削弱大西洋深层水生成。而在冰盛期冷期,大西洋高低纬度地区的响应对AMOC的影响反向—副热带升温触发的海盆尺度低压异常,通过其南侧的西风异常削弱大西洋向太平洋的水汽输送,导致净降水增多,海表盐度下降;同时,高纬度升...     

A record of fluctuating bottom currents on the slopes west of the Porcupine Bank,offshore Ireland — implications for Late Quaternary climate forcing

Both local and regional controls on slope sedimentation west of Porcupine Bank are assessed using an array of 25 gravity cores, integrated with shallow seismic, TOBI side-scan and high-resolution bathymetry data. The cores were retrieved from an area of smooth, distally steepened slope (between 52° and 53°N) in water depths of 950 to 2750 m. The slope here is unmodified by gravity failures and is swept by bottom currents that flow from S to N along the margin. The cores reveal a coherent shallow stratigraphy that can be traced along and between transects at upper-, mid- and lower-slope levels. AMS ¹⁴C dating, oxygen-isotopes and carbonate profiles suggest the cored record could extend as far back as 500 ka in the longest cores, with most cores providing details of the slope response to the last interglacial, last glacial and Holocene forcing. The facies indicate deposition was dominated by a combination of bottom currents, ice-rafting and hemipelagic settling, with carbonate-prone deposits during interglacials, and siliciclastic deposits during glacials. Inferred contourites imply that strong currents operated during interglacials, with weaker current reworking during glacial conditions. A pair of erosion surfaces record significant mid- and upper-slope scouring during Marine Isotope Stage (MIS 3) and in the Early Holocene. The lateral facies distribution implies stronger currents at shallower levels on the slope, although there is evidence that the core of the current migrated up and down the slope, and that sand might locally have spilt down-slope. The bathymetry influenced both the wider geometry of the condensed contourite sheet and the local thickness and facies variation across the slope. A significant result of the study is the identification of a pair of thin sand–mud contourite couplets that record enhanced bottom-current reworking corresponding to periods of interstadial warming during MIS 3. The couplets can be correlated to the terrestrial records onshore Ireland and imply that the NE Atlantic margin oceanographic and onshore climate records are strongly coupled at interstadial level.     

Paleoceanographic records in the Chukchi Basin, western Arctic Ocean during the late Quaternary

The late Quaternary paleoceanographic changes in the western Arctic Ocean are revealed by quantitative studies of foraminiferal abundance, ice-rafted detritus (IRD) and its mineralogical and petrological compositions, planktonic Neogloboquadrina pachyderma (sin.) (Nps)-δ¹⁸O and -δ¹³C, biogenic and non-biogenic components in Core M03 token from the Chukchi Basin during the Second Chinese National Arctic Expedition cruise. Seven IRD events appeared at MIS 7, 5, 3 and 1. These IRD were carried in massive icebergs, which were exported to the Beaufort Sea through the M'Clure Strait Ice Stream, Canadian Arctic Archipelago, and then transported into the Chukchi Basin by the Beaufort Gyre. Low IRD deposition occurred during the glacial times when more extended ice cover and weakened Beaufort Gyre, while the open water condition and the intensified Beaufort Gyre during interglacial periods favored the IRD deposition. Therefore, the IRD events not only indicate the provenance of coarser detritus and ice export events, but also reflect the evolutionary histories of the Beaufort Gyre and North American ice sheet. Seven light Nps-δ¹⁸O and -δ¹³C excursions could respond to enhanced rates of sea ice formation resulting in the production and sinking of isotopically light brines, but was irrelevant to the warm Atlantic water and freshwater inputs. Whereas, the heavy Nps-δ¹⁸O and -δ¹³C values separately reflect the lessened Arctic freshwater and Pacific water, and well-ventilated surface water from the continental shelf and halocline water. Variations of CaCO₃ content and planktonic foraminiferal abundance during the interglacial and glacial periods can demonstrate the incremental or diminishing input of the Atlantic water, while the total organic carbon (TOC) and opal contents increased and decreased during the glacial and interglacial periods, respectively, which could be related to the TOC degradation, opal dissolution and redox conditions of interface between the bottom water and sediments.     

楚科奇海盆M04柱晚更新世以来沉积古环境记录

对"中国第五次北极科考"采自楚科奇海盆的M04柱进行粒度、冰筏碎屑、黏土矿物、岩心XRF扫描、沉积物颜色分析,初步建立了楚科奇海盆晚更新世MIS4期以来的沉积地层框架。MIS4期以来,楚科奇海盆M04柱沉积物粒度和黏土矿物组成具有明显的冰期/间冰期变化特征,冰期沉积物粒度分布以双峰态为主,由洋流搬运和海冰搬运沉积组分组成,伊利石含量高、高岭石含量低;间冰期沉积物具有三峰态粒度分布特征,由海冰搬运、洋流搬运和冰山搬运沉积组分组成,伊利石含量低、高岭石含量高。通过M04柱黏土矿物组合类型与北冰洋边缘海盆的表层沉积物黏土矿物组合类型对比表明,晚更新世以来楚科奇海盆沉积环境发生显著变化:温暖的间冰期受波弗特涡流驱动,波弗特海为研究区的物源输入提供了主要贡献;寒冷的冰期表层环流呈反向输运,细颗粒物源碎屑以东西伯利亚海的输入为主。     

白令海DSDP188站氧同位素3期以来的古海洋与古气候记录

白令海南部DSDP188站沉积物生源组分分析显示,该地区表层生产力在MIS3早、晚期(3.3和3.1)以及MIS2期增加,而其他时期表层生产力相应降低,并且表层生产力的变化没有显示明显的冰期与间冰期旋回。沉积物的C/N比值反映了有机碳的混合来源,说明该地区表层生产力可能受陆源营养物质输入的影响。该站位沉积物的非生源组分分析显示,MIS3早、晚期陆源物质输入量增加,反映洋流加强和气候变化。MIS2出现两次陆源物质输入量的增加,显示了洋流和气候的波动。MIS3和末次冰消期碳屑丰度增加,但MIS2降低,指示MIS3和MIS1陆地天然火灾概率大,而MIS2天然火灾概率低,反映间冰期比冰期更容易发生天然火灾。     

南海西沙海槽83PC柱状沉积物组成特征及其古环境意义

为了解南海北部末次间冰期以来的沉积环境演化,分析了西沙海槽83PC柱状沉积物的浮游有孔虫氧碳同位素、碳酸钙、有机碳和粒度组成。浮游有孔虫的δ18 O值具有冰期-间冰期旋回特征,记录了海平面的升降和古气候的变化,而海平面变化控制了沉积物的碳酸钙和有机碳含量。冰期,海平面下降,陆源物质输入增多,带来了大量的碎屑物质和陆源有机质,沉积物具有低碳酸钙含量和高有机碳含量;间冰期,海平面上升,陆源物质输入减少,碎屑物质的稀释作用减弱,沉积物具有高碳酸钙含量和低有机碳含量。南海北部83PC柱状沉积物记录了末次间冰期以来的多次海平面升降旋回,还记录了气候变冷事件以及低碳酸钙沉积事件,其中,150、510、660和740cm处的低碳酸钙含量和相对重δ18 O值记录了全球性气候变冷事件,而冰后期的低碳酸钙沉积事件,则主要反映了季风降雨的增强,出现了洪水高发期,陆源碎屑物质对碳酸钙沉积的稀释作用明显增强。     

Geographical distribution of fish catches and temperature variations in the northeast Atlantic since 1945

Warming of the northeast Atlantic is expected to affect the location and productivity of fish stocks. It is examined whether variations in catches of cod, herring, mackerel, anchovy and sardines in the ICES statistical areas are related to variations in ocean temperature. Temperatures at certain locations along the Norwegian coast are taken as proxies for temperatures in the Norwegian Sea and the North Sea. It is found that the catches of cod in the North Sea are inversely correlated with temperature and that recruitment and catches of cod in the Norwegian Sea and the Barents Sea are positively related to temperature. There is also some indication of a positive correlation between temperature and the catches of mackerel in the North Sea and the Norwegian Sea, and between temperature and the catches of sardines in the North Sea.     

Paleoceanography of the central sea of Okhotsk during the middle Pleistocene (350–190 ka) as inferred from micropaleontological data

The distribution of diatoms, radiolarians, planktonic and benthic foraminifers, and sediment components in the fraction >0.125 mm was analyzed in the core obtained from the central Sea of Okhotsk within the frameworks of the Russian-German KOMEX project. The core section characterizes the period 190–350 ka, which corresponds to marine-isotopic stages (MIS) 7 to 10. During glacial MIS 10 and MIS 8, the basin accumulated terrigenous material lacking microfossils or containing them in low abundance, which reflects, along with their composition, heavy sea-ice conditions, suppressed bioproductivity, and bottom environments aggressive toward calcium carbonate. Interglacial MIS 9 was characterized by elevated bioproductivity with accumulation of diatomaceous ooze during the climatic optimum (328 to 320 ka). The water exchange with the Pacific was maximal from 328 to 324 ka ago. Environments became moderate and close to the present-day ones at the end of the optimum exhibiting the possible existence of a dichothermal layer with substantial amounts of the surface Pacific water still flowing into the basin. Similar to interglacial MIS 5e and MIS 1, the “old” Pacific water determined near-bottom environments in the central Sea of Okhotsk during that period, although the influx of terrigenous material was higher, probably reflecting a more humid climate of the region. Slight warming marked the terminal MIS 8 (approximately 260 ka ago). The paleoceanographic situation during interglacial MIS 7 was highly variable: from warm-water to almost glacial. The main climatic optimum of MIS 7 occurred within 220–210 ka, when the subsurface stratification increased and the dichothermal layer developed. Bottom environments during the studied time interval, except for the optimum of interglacial MIS 9, resembled those characteristic of glacial periods: the actively formed “young” Okhotsk water displaced the “old” Pacific deep water.     

Lead in the North Sea and the north east Atlantic Ocean

Lead has been determined in 105 water samples from the north east Atlantic and from the North Sea. Rigorous precautions were applied to avoid contamination during sampling and analysis.Two different analytical methods were used: ASV and AAS. Determinations with ASV were carried out on board, directly after sampling. After two months storage, acidified samples were analysed by AAS after freon dithiocarbamate extraction and nitric acid back extraction. Particulate lead was determined by AAS after an acid digestion.The profiles of lead concentration versus depth show around 160 pM at the surface and around 20 pM at the bottom, both in the Atlantic and in the Norwegian Sea. The shapes of the profiles are different, however, depending on the hydrography of the area sampled. The profiles from the north east Atlantic coincide with a recently published profile from the north west Atlantic. Moreover, these profiles have lead concentrations about a factor of three higher than those in the Pacific.Considering the high lead input to the North Sea, the lead concentrations found there are remarkably low, probably because of scavenging effects in estuaries leading to a short residence time in the water column. The dominant lead input in offshore regions is from the atmosphere. The highest lead levels are found in the northern North Sea, around 300 pM in surface water.In the Atlantic, particulate lead is a minor part of the total lead whereas in the North Sea the particulate fraction is larger, up to 40%.     

Organo- and lithofacies of glacial-interglacial deposits in the Norwegian-Greenland Sea: Responses to paleoceanographic and paleoclimatic changes

Based on a multiparameter approach a combined litho- and organofacies concept was developed for glacial and interglacial sediment sections along an E-W transect through the central part of the Norwegian-Greenland Sea (NGS).

Modern and past surface water regimes are clearly displayed by specific litho- and organofacies patterns. Interglacial conditions reveal specific Atlantic water associated lithofacies (A and B3) in the eastern and central sector of the Norwegian-Greenland Sea (NGS). Corresponding interglacial organofacies in general are not well correlated to lithofacies due to strong diagenetic degradation of labile, e.g. autochthonous organic matter (OM). While in near-surface sediments a marine-dominated organofacies (I-1) is preserved under Atlantic water masses, this correlation is not evident for lower Holocene and Isotope Stage 5 deposits. However, during Isotopic Event 5.5.1 increased proportions of marine OM are recorded in a high accumulating core on the Vøring Plateau. Glaciomarine background lithofacies (B and C) indicate minor input of ice rafted debris (IRD) and seasonal variable sea-ice cover. Corresponding organofacies (II-1, non-oxidized and II-2, oxidized) are dominated by allochthonous OM. Most spectacular are glacial diamictons (Lithofacies E and F) evidencing short-term sediment pulses due to a sudden disintegration of far advanced tide water ice margins on the outer shelves. These diamictons bear specific organofacies (III-1 and III-2) with a clear predominance of terrigenous and reworked OM.

Some of the diamictons seem to occur contemporaneous with the so called “Heinrich-layers” H1 and H2, suggesting a common trigger-mechanism for the almost simultaneous disintegration of huge continental ice masses along the shelves of North America and the eastern margin of the NGS.

Application of a combined organo- and lithofacies concept provides essential information on spatial and temporal variations of water mass characteristics, the oceanic effects of ice sheet dynamics and circulation models.