Late Quaternary climates of East Asia deduced from the total organic carbon contents of cored sediments (MD179-3304, 3312) off Joetsu City,Japan Sea

Total organic carbon (TOC) and total nitrogen (TN) concentrations are analyzed with high temporal resolution (ca. 100 years) for cores MD179-3304 and MD179-3312 taken from the Japan Sea off Joetsu City. The temporal changes in TOC and TN concentrations vary quasi-regularly in similar patterns. The age models are formed on the basis of the dates of ¹⁴C dating, marker tephra beds, TL layers, and marine isotope events with depth. TOC concentration is high in MIS 1 and 5, low in MIS 2 and 4, and slightly elevated in MIS 3 with frequent short fluctuations. This general trend is very similar to LR04 curve, except for the reduced dominance of TOC around the MIS 5.5 substage. As shown typically in MIS 3, there are many peaks of TOC in a short interval. The details of these TOC peaks can be correlated with the warm interstadials of the Greenland ice core. We can identify a sawtooth-like decreasing trend of TOC in MIS 3. In contrast, the decreasing trend of δ¹⁸O in the ice core corresponds to an increasing trend of TOC in MIS 5.The most plausible explanation for the correlation of climate changes between East Asia and the North Atlantic is oscillation of the Arctic polar front through time. The detailed correspondence of TOC concentrations of the Japan Sea sediments to other common paleoclimate proxies means that the TOC concentrations of these sediments is an excellent paleoclimate record in Far East Asia, although the genetic relationship between air temperature and biological productivity in the Japan Sea is as yet unknown.     

Submarine landslide identified in MD179 cores,off-Joetsu area,eastern margin of the Sea of Japan

Gas hydrate is exposed on the sea floor and is buried in shallow sediments in the off-Joetsu area at the eastern margin of the Sea of Japan. Sediment cores recovered from topographic highs of the Joetsu Knoll and Umitaka Spur show pockmarks and mounds formed by gas hydrate dissociation, but those from the Un-named ridge have no such topographic features. All topographic highs and pockmarks mainly comprise bioturbated layers interbedded with thinly laminated (TL) layers, which are common Sea of Japan sediments. Recovered sediments are, however, mostly disturbed by submarine landslides, showing tilted horizons, faults, slump folds, and breccia, except that from the Un-named ridge. The timing of events is well constrained by identification of the number of TL layers in some sediment cores. Landslides occurred both during the cold glacial period of the late MIS3 to the last glacial maximum (LGM) and during the warm interglacial period of the post-LGM. All were caused by the explosive rise of gas hydrate formed at very shallow depths of the sea bottom by the supply of gas from the depth of the gas hydrate stability zone through gas chimney passages developed under the pockmarks. Seismic activity demands consideration as a factor because the off-Joetsu area is tectonically active.     

Variations in sea surface temperatures based on alkenones in Korea Plateau sediments of the East Sea (Sea of Japan) over the last 300,000 years

Variations in long chain alkenone-based sea surface temperature (SST) from a piston core (M04-PC1A) collected from the Korea Plateau in the East Sea (Sea of Japan) were investigated to understand paleoceanographic variations over the last 300,000 years. By combining sedimentological and geochemical proxies (the lithological marker of crudely laminated mud, alkenone SST, foraminiferal oxygen isotope values, and ¹⁴C age determination) and by comparison with previous works, we examined paleoceanographic variations back to Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 8, approximately 300,000 years B.P. In particular, analysis of alkenones suggests that SSTs were about 8 °C and 11 °C lower during MIS 8 and MIS 6 than that in the present-day SST, respectively. Furthermore, SST was estimated to be 5 °C lower during the Last Glacial Maximum. These significant SST differences among MIS 8, 6, and 2 may be attributable to not only the formation of distinctive water masses, but also to differential alkenone synthesis under different environmental conditions. These results suggest that SSTs in the East Sea during the last three glacial periods (MIS 8, 6, and 2) were different, but rather were closely linked with regional oceanographic conditions overlapped with sensitive responses to the intensity of the East Asian monsoon. Surface-water freshening was a local paleoceanographic consequence that was imprinted in the core during MIS 2 and MIS 6, and potentially during MIS 4. Furthermore, alkenone-based SST data suggested that surface water circulation and biological productivity were strongly associated with the inflow of the Tsushima Warm Current during interglacial periods.     

Is the lycopane/n-C31 ratio an effective proxy of palaeoxicity of bottom water for the Japan Sea? – Unusual distribution of lycopane in the surface sediment from the Japan Sea collected by the MD179 cruise

The lycopane/n-C₃₁ ratio has been proposed as a proxy of palaeoxicity of bottom water. To assess its applicability in the Japan Sea, the piston core samples of MD179-3312, which contains several dark layers that are known to deposited when the bottom water had low oxygen contents, were geochemically analyzed. The TL2 and TL3 layers, deposited during the last glacial maximum when the Japan Sea was stratified, did not show a high lycopane/n-C₃₁ ratio. In contrast, the TL1 layer, which was deposited when the Japan Sea stagnated temporarily but the surface ocean became increasingly productive, had a high lycopane/n-C₃₁ ratio. Furthermore, the depth profile of lycopane/n-C₃₁ ratio is similar to that of n-C₃₇ alkadiene, a compound potentially related to alkenones. Accordingly, we concluded that the lycopane/n-C₃₁ ratio is not a useful proxy to assess palaeoxicity of the bottom water, but reflects the productivity of some phytoplankton in the Japan Sea. This study was supported by MH21, Research Consortium for Methane Hydrate Resources in Japan.     

白令海北部陆坡100ka来的古海洋学记录及海冰的扩张历史

白令海北部陆坡B2-9柱状样中生源组分的研究显示, 自MIS5.3期以来表层生产力指标的粗组分和蛋白石含量呈阶梯状增加, 反映表层生产力阶段式的增长.全新世表层生产力达到最高, 并且MIS3.2~2期高, 比MIS5.3~3.3期最低.高有机碳含量对应于高C/N比值, 显示有机碳混合来源, 不能作为表层生产力的指标.MIS5.1, 3.3~3.2期和全新世高的有机碳含量和C/N比值反映间冰期陆源有机物质输入量的增加.MIS5.3期至中全新世, 不断增加的陆源砂级和粉砂级颗粒组分说明随着气候的逐渐变冷, 陆架海冰在不断扩张.伐冰碎屑和碳屑颗粒冰期、间冰段和末次冰消期升高, 而间冰期降低, 反映冰期白令海陆架海冰扩张和间冰期海冰消融的过程.冰期海冰扩张与北美大陆气候的相互关联, 揭示了晚第四纪冰期旋回中白令海海冰扩张及其对全球气候变化的响应.      

南海北部1144站中更新世浮游有孔虫的千年尺度古气候记录

南海北部ODP1144站中更新世气候转型时期的浮游有孔虫在千年尺度上以高频率变化为主要特征.冰期旋回主要周期在0.9Ma由41ka转变为100ka, 浮游有孔虫组合也随冰期旋回出现大量的冷水种.据转换函数得出的表层水降温高达10℃发生在0.9~0.6Ma间的转型过渡期, 跨越MIS22、20、18、16四大冰期.同时, 温跃层深度呈阶梯式变浅, 在MIS20上升至65m左右.所以, 南海北部上层水体环境在中更新世气候转型期出现比末次冰期更重的δ18O值, 温跃层变浅, 深水种含量降低或消失, 突出了边缘海区南北气候梯度反差和冬季风在冰期增强的讯号.南海南北部的环境差异与东西太平洋的差异, 共同表明低纬过程在气候变化中的重要性.      

南海西南部晚更新世500 ka以来的古海洋学特征

对湄公河口外MD01—2392孔浮游有孔虫的定量分析，并采用FP-12E转换函数、MAT现代类比法及温跃层转换函数的计算，结合氧同位素分析结果，揭示了南海南部晚更新世近500ka以来的古海洋学演化特征．发现冰期MIS12、MISS、MIS2-4冬季表层水温明显高出相邻的间冰期，特别是间冰期M189、MIS5、MIS1表层水温都较低．温跃层在MIS5与MIS1最浅，MIS9其次．主要表现在浮游有孔虫深层高营养种的含量增高，表明上升流增强．间冰期的低水温很可能主要是由于上升流影响所致，当然表层盐度由于多雨而降低也可能影响到间冰期的水温估算．冰期时较高的表层水温，喜暖高盐型次表层种Pulleniatina obliquiloculata的大量繁殖，说明冰期时南部海区受来自北部强冬季风的制约使上升流活动减弱，海平面降低后与邻区通道的关闭也造成水体置换明显减弱，可能有淡水盖层发育，最终导致上层海水分层增强和冬季表层水温保持相对较高．晚更新世时期的南海南部由于冰期低海平面造成半封闭的海盆环境和季风变化，是影响其浮游有孔虫对冰期旋回响应与北部和开放大洋不同的根本原因．     

Paleoceanographic changes of surface and deep water based on oxygen and carbon isotope records during the last 130 kyr identified in MD179 cores,off Joetsu,Japan Sea

We reconstructed the paleoenvironmental history of surface and deep water over the last 130 kyr from oxygen and carbon isotope ratios of planktonic and benthic foraminifera in two cores (MD179-3312 and MD179-3304) from the Joetsu Basin, eastern margin of the Japan Sea. Our data showed that paleoceanographic changes such as influx of surface currents and vertical circulation were associated with global glacial–interglacial sea level change. Surface water conditions were influenced by the influx of Tsushima Current, East China Sea coastal or off-shore waters through the Tsushima Strait during interglacial or interstadial stages, and strongly affected by freshwater input during the glacial maximum. During interglacial maximums such as Marine Isotope Stages 1 and 5e, development of well-oxygenated bottom water was indicated. A density-stratified ocean with weak ventilation was inferred from the isotopic records of benthic foraminifera during the Last Glacial Maximum. Local negative excursions in carbon isotopes during deglacial or interglacial periods may suggest the dissolution of gas hydrates or methane seep activities.     

Late Quaternary Paleoclimatic Change in the Ulleung Basin, East Sea, Korea

Paleoclimatic changes in the late Quaternary sediments deposited in the East Sea were analyzed by studying diatoms. A total of 95 species belonging to 47 genera were identified from the Core02GHP-02 of the Ulleung Basin in the East Sea, Korea. In the Core 02GHP-02, U-Oki(169–181 cm; 9.3 ka), AT(464–465.5 cm; 22 ka) and U–Ym(556–559 cm; 33 ka) tephra layers were recognized. The chronological divisions of 02GHP-02 may be correlated with the climatic changes from the glacial interval(730–620 cm; MIS3), to interstadial(620–500 cm; MIS3), to the last glacial maximum(500–390 cm; MIS 2), to the deglaciation(390–290 cm; MIS 2), to the late glacial(290–190 cm; MIS 1), and to the Holocene(190–10 cm; MIS 1). It is speculated that diatoms were rarely found during the glacial interval when the 02GHP-02 core was deposited; during the interstadial(MIS 3) and deglaciation, a mixture of warm-water and cold-water species were found. In particular, Fragilariopsis doliolus seems to have appeared in the East Sea after 8 ka BP. In the lower layers of the Holocene deposits, cold-water species such as Neodenticula seminae were frequently found, while in the upper layers, warm-water species such as Hemidiscus cuneiformis were found in relatively large abundance. Therefore, the findings indicate that the climate became warmer during the transition from the lower layer to the upper layer of the Holocene deposits.     

Ice‐rafting patterns on the western Svalbard slope 74–0 ka: interplay between ice‐sheet activity,climate and ocean circulation

The distribution of ice‐rafted detritus (IRD) is studied in three cores from the western Svalbard slope (1130–1880 m water depth, 76–78°N) covering the period 74–0 ka. The aim was to provide new insight into the dynamics of the Svalbard–Barents Sea Ice Sheet during Marine Isotope Stages (MIS) 4–1 to get a better understanding of ice‐sheet interactions with changes in ocean circulation and climate on orbital and millennial (Dansgaard–Oeschger events of stadial–interstadial) time scales. The results show that concentration, flux, composition and grain‐size of IRD vary with climate and ocean temperature on both orbital and millennial time scales. The IRD consists mainly of fragments of siltstones and mono‐crystalline transparent quartz (referred to as ‘quartz’). IRD dominated by siltstones has a local Svalbard–Barents Sea source, while IRD dominated by quartz is from distant sources. Local siltstone‐rich IRD predominates in warmer climatic phases (interstadials), while the proportion of allochthonous quartz‐rich IRD increases in cold phases (glacials and stadials/Heinrich events). During the Last Glacial Maximum and early deglaciation at 24–16.1 ka, the quartz content reached up to >90%. In warm climate, local iceberg calving apparently increased and the warmer ocean surface caused faster melting. During the glacial maxima (MIS 4 and MIS 2) and during cold stadials and Heinrich events, the local ice‐sheets must have been relatively stable with low ablation. During ice retreat phases of the MIS 4/3 and MIS 2/1 transitions, maxima in IRD deposition were dominated by local coarse‐grained IRD. These maxima correlate with episodes of climate warming, indicating a rapid, stepwise retreat of the Svalbard–Barents Sea Ice Sheet in phase with millennial‐scale climate oscillations.     

Variations in seawater osmium isotope composition since the last glacial maximum: A case study from the Japan Sea

Concentrations of Re and Os, and the isotopic composition of Os have been measured in the Japan Sea sediments to assess the response of the Japan Sea to glacial–interglacial climate change and associated weathering fluxes. The osmium concentrations in the sediment samples analyzed vary from 59 to 371 pg/g, and ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os from 0.935 to 1.042. Only ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os of sediment samples from dark laminations deposited under suboxic to anoxic conditions and having elevated concentrations of Re and Os, and with ≥ 80% hydrogenous Os are explained in terms of seawater composition. Lower ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os were observed for sediments deposited during the last glacial maximum (LGM) when planktonic foraminifera from the Japan Sea recorded lighter oxygen isotopic composition. Decrease in dissolved Os fluxes from continents and/or change in the composition of the dissolved load to the Japan Sea are suggested as the driving mechanisms for the observed lower LGM ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os. The results of this study, coupled with lower ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os during the last glacial observed at other sites from ocean basins with different lithology and contrasting sediment accumulation rates, suggest that this trend is characteristic of the global oceans.

Data from this study show that the Japan Sea recorded higher ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os during the current interglacial coinciding with excursions of oxygen isotopic compositions of planktonic foraminifera to heavier values. This is explained in terms of preferential release of ¹⁸⁷Os during deglacial weathering and/or higher continental Os flux driven by warm and wet climate. This study demonstrates that Os isotopic composition of reducing margin sediments has immense potential to track variations in the seawater composition. In addition, ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os of reducing sediments may be used to draw inferences about local paleoceanographic processes in semi-enclosed basins such as the Japan Sea.     

南海北部MD12-3432站MIS 11期以来底栖有孔虫反映的古环境变化

南海具有典型边缘海特征,其北部陆坡由于具有高沉积速率的地层剖面,可以用于研究亚轨道尺度气候变化。本研究以南海北部陆坡下部MD12 3432柱状样(19°16.88′N,116°14.52′E,水深2 125 m)为主要研究材料,分析其粗组分百分含量、底栖有孔虫丰度和特定环境指示属种的百分含量与丰度,并结合相关研究结果,运用多指标综合分析,重建了南海北部陆坡MIS 11期(距今约40万年)以来的表层初级生产力和底层水溶解氧含量的演化情况。与之前研究不同,本研究发现MIS11期以来南海北部的古生产力在温暖的间冰期高、在寒冷的冰期低,且主要受控于东亚夏季风影响下低纬地区降水强度的变化。在MIS 7期和MIS 9期可能有较高溶解氧含量的底层水进入南海北部,导致在高生产力的暖期中,喜氧的低生产力指示种Cibicidoides wuellerstorfi丰度增加。     

日本海南部48ka以来的环境磁学记录及其反映的千年尺度环境变化

本文系统分析了日本海郁陵海盆南部陆坡KCES钻孔48ka以来的古地磁、岩石磁学和沉积学性质。在已经报道的以 AMS 14C 测年、火山灰地层和特征深色层年龄模型上,以磁化率、非磁滞剩磁和饱和等温剩磁为归一参数的"地磁场强度"特征低值可以与北大西洋ODP 983钻孔对比,方向可以与日本海和太平洋其他钻孔进行对比,强度年龄与之前年龄一致且更详细。48ka以来末次冰期(36~15kaB.P.)的磁性矿物输入最多,颗粒最细,软磁组分最高,末次冰期其他时段和冰消期、冰后期的磁性矿物输入降低,颗粒变粗,高矫顽力磁组分增加。岩石磁学的系统变化揭示早期成岩作用在7kaB.P.以来程度稍强,48~7kaB.P.作用较弱,不足以影响岩石磁学参数的环境记录。由于样品的不连续,末次冰期岩石磁学与千年冷暖事件的对应不明显,而在冰消期(15~11kaB.P.)海面急剧上升、全球温度变化剧烈的时期,岩石磁学参数表现为非常均匀的粗颗粒快速堆积,但是磁性矿物含量减少,软磁性组分也减少。此时陆源输入中的稳定元素Ti的相应变化暗示物质源区的变化和/或强劲水动力条件的筛选作用。与此同时,底流强劲并且方向多变,沉积物中砂和粉砂含量剧增都说明海底处于动荡和充氧的条件,与末次盛冰期时的分层海洋明显不同。因此,KCES钻孔的岩石磁学变化记录了陆源物质输入、底流演变和沉积后变化,这些都可能与著名的千年事件具有成因关系。     

Sea‐level changes,river activity,soil development and glaciation around the western margins of the southern North Sea Basin during the Early and early Middle Pleistocene: evidence from Pakefield,Suffolk, UK

This paper outlines evidence from Pakefield (northern Suffolk), eastern England, for sea‐level changes, river activity, soil development and glaciation during the late Early and early Middle Pleistocene (MIS 20–12) within the western margins of the southern North Sea Basin. During this time period, the area consisted of a low‐lying coastal plain and a shallow offshore shelf. The area was drained by major river systems including the Thames and Bytham. Changes in sea‐level caused several major transgressive–regressive cycles across this low‐relief region, and these changes are identified by the stratigraphic relationship between shallow marine (Wroxham Crag Formation), fluvial (Cromer Forest‐bed and Bytham formations) and glacial (Happisburgh and Lowestoft formations) sediments. Two separate glaciations are recognised—the Happisburgh (MIS 16) and Anglian (MIS 12) glaciations, and these are separated by a high sea level represented by a new member of the Wroxham Crag Formation, and several phases of river aggradation and incision. The principal driving mechanism behind sea‐level changes and river terrace development within the region during this time period is solar insolation operating over 100‐kyr eccentricity cycles. This effect is achieved by the impact of cold climate processes upon coastal, river and glacial systems and these climatically forced processes obscure the neotectonic drivers that operated over this period of time. © British Geological Survey/Natural Environment Research Council copyright 2005. Reproduced with the permission of BGS/NERC. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Late Quaternary tephrostratigraphy of Baegdusan and Ulleung volcanoes using marine sediments in the Japan Sea/East Sea

Only Ulleung and Baegdusan volcanoes have produced alkaline tephras in the Japan Sea/East Sea during the Quaternary. Little is known about their detailed tephrostratigraphy, except for the U–Oki and B–Tm tephras. Trace element analysis of bulk sediments can be used to identify alkaline cryptotephra because of the large compositional contrast. Five sediment cores spanning the interval between the rhyolitic AT (29.4 ka) and Aso-4 (87 ka) tephras were analyzed using an INAA scanning method. Source volcanoes for the five detected alkaline cryptotephra were identified from major element analyses of hand-picked glass shards: Ulleung (U–Ym, and the newly identified U–Sado), and Baegdusan (B–J, and the newly identified B–Sado and B-Ym). The eruption ages of the U–Ym, U–Sado, B–J, B–Sado, and B–Ym tephras are estimated to be 38 ka, 61 ka, 26 ka, 51 ka, 68–69 ka, and 86 ka, respectively, based on correlations with regional-scale TL (thinly laminated) layer stratigraphy (produced by basin-wide changes in bottom-water oxygen levels in response to millennium-scale paleoclimate variations). This study has allowed construction of an alkaline tephrostratigraphical framework for the late Quaternary linked to global environmental changes in the Japan Sea/East Sea, and improves our knowledge of the eruptive histories of Ulleung and Baegdusan volcanoes.     

南海北部晚中新世红绿韵律层成因的矿物学和地球化学约束

沉积物颜色是其物质组成和形成环境的重要标志,对古海洋古环境重建有特殊指示意义。国际大洋发现计划(IODP)368航次在南海北部钻取的U1502站沉积岩心中发现了上百米红褐色-绿灰色韵律沉积层,但其成因不明。为探究其物源和红绿韵律沉积层的成因,我们对该站位岩心样品开展了矿物学和地球化学分析,包括粒度、黏土矿物、常微量元素和Sr-Nd同位素组成、有机碳含量及碳酸盐碳氧同位素组成分析。物源分析表明,U1502站沉积物陆源输入以珠江为主而吕宋次之,红层相对绿层有稍多的吕宋物质贡献。地球化学指标指示红绿沉积层的形成没有遭受热液、冷泉流体的影响,其形成是南海晚中新世构造演化和冰期-间冰期旋回中水体通风、底层水氧化还原环境改变及早期成岩作用共同影响的结果。结合以前南海北部沉积物源研究及沉积物颜色频谱分析,推测红绿层可能分别对应了间冰期-冰期时间尺度。指标重建指示了红绿层分别形成于偏氧化和偏还原的底层水氧化还原环境。自中中新世以来随着吕宋岛弧与欧亚板块碰撞,南海海盆从开放的环境变得相对封闭,其深部通风和氧化还原条件开始呈现典型的冰期-间冰期旋回模式。红层对应了间冰期高海平面时期南海深层水通风良好、水体偏氧化的沉积环境,而绿层则指示了冰期低海平面时期南海层化加强、水体偏还原的环境。不同的氧化还原条件控制了早期成岩作用中致色含铁自生矿物如赤铁矿的形成与转化,最终引起沉积层颜色韵律变化。     

Active right-lateral strike-slip fault zone along the southern margin of the Japan Sea

We describe an active right-lateral strike-slip fault zone along the southern margin of the Japan Sea, named the Southern Japan Sea Fault Zone (SJSFZ). Onshore segments of the fault zone are delineated on the basis of aerial photograph interpretations and field observations of tectonic geomorphic features, whereas the offshore parts are interpreted from single-/multichannel seismic data combined with borehole information. In an effort to evaluate late Quaternary activity along the fault zone, four active segments separated by uplifting structures are identified in this study. The east–northeast-trending SJSFZ constitutes paired arc-parallel strike-slip faults together with the Median Tectonic Line (MTL), both of which have been activated by oblique subduction of the Philippine Sea plate during the Quaternary. They act as the boundaries of three neotectonic stress domains around the eastern margin of the Eurasian plate: the near-trench Outer zone and NW–SE compressive Inner zone of southwest Japan arc, and the southern Japan Sea deformed under E–W compression from south to north.     

Late Devensian ice‐marginal features in the central North Sea – processes and chronology

Palaeoglaciological reconstructions of the North Sea sector of the last British Ice Sheet have, as other shelf areas, suffered from a lack of dates directly related to ice‐front positions. In the present study new high‐resolution TOPAS seismic data, bathymetric records and sediment core data from the Witch Ground Basin, central North Sea, were compiled. This compilation made it possible to map out three ice‐marginal positions, partly through identification of terminal moraines and partly through location of glacial‐fed debrisflows. The interfingering of the distal parts of the glacial‐fed debrisflows with continuous marine sedimentation enabled the development of a chronology for glacial events based on previously published and some new radiocarbon dates on marine molluscs and foraminifera. From these data it is suggested that after the central Witch Ground Basin was deglaciated at c. 27 cal. ka BP, the eastern part was inundated by glacial ice from the east in the Tampen advance at c. 21 cal. ka BP. Subsequently, the basin was inundated by ice from northeast during the Fladen 1 (c. 17.5 cal. ka BP) and the Fladen 2 (16.2 cal. ka BP) events. It should be emphasized that the Fladen 1 and 2 events, individually, may represent dynamics of relatively small lobes of glacial ice at the margin of the British Ice Sheet and that the climatic significance of these may be questioned. However, the Fladen Events probably correlate in time with the Clogher Head and Killard Point re‐advances previously documented from Ireland and the Bremanger event from off western Norway, suggesting that the British and Fennoscandian ice sheets both had major advances in their northwestern parts, close to the northwestern European seaboard, at this time.     

Non‐synchronous deposition of North Atlantic Ash Zone II in Greenland ice cores,and North Atlantic and Norwegian Sea sediments: an example of complex glacial‐stage tephra transport

Tephra provides regional chronostratigraphical marker horizons that can link different climate archives with highly needed accuracy and precision. The results presented in this work exemplify, however, that the intermittent storage of tephra in ice sheets and during its subsequent iceberg transport, especially during glacial stages, constitutes a potential source of serious error for the application of tephrochronology to Nordic Seas and North Atlantic sediment archives. The peak shard concentration of the rhyolitic component of the North Atlantic Ash Zone II (NAAZ‐II) tephra complex, often used to correlate marine and ice core records in Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 3, is shown to lag the eruption event by ca. 100–400 years in some North Atlantic and Norwegian Sea cores. While still allowing for a correlation of archives on millennial timescales, this time delay in deposition is a major obstacle when addressing the lead–lag relationship on short timescales (years to centuries). A precise and accurate determination of lead–lag relationships between archives recording different parts of the climate system is crucial in order to test hypotheses about the processes leading to abrupt climate change and to evaluate results from climate models. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

南海的氧同位素3期

以南海北、西、南部3个沉积速率相对较高而且连续的沉积柱状样MD2904,MD2901和MD2897为基础,通过粒度、碳酸盐、有机地球化学和元素分析,并综合前人研究成果,对南海MIS3期进行探讨。结果显示,南海MIS3是末次冰期中的弱暖期,海水表层古温度比相邻的MIS2和MIS4期略高,但是明显比MIS1和MIS5期低。MIS3的最大特点就在于其气候的不稳定性,发生了多次气候快速变化事件。在格陵兰冰芯中记录的千年尺度快速气候变化事件（D/O事件和Heinrich事件）基本上在南海北、西、南部都有响应,具有与全球同步的特征。南海MIS3古生产力都显示出较高的特点,这与东亚季风有着密切的关系,北部主要受冬季风影响,西部和南部主要受夏季风影响。南海南部MIS3表现出比MIS5更高的古生产力和更强的夏季风强度,这一特点有待更进一步深入研究。