Dynamic sea-level change during the last deglaciation of northern Iceland

Rundgren, M., Ingólfsson, Ó., Björck, S., Jiang, H. & Haflioason, H. 1997 (September): Dynamic sea-level change during the last deglaciation of northern Iceland. Boreas , Vol. 26, pp. 201–215. Oslo. ISSN 0300–9483.
A detailed reconstruction of deglacial relative sea-level changes at the northern coast of Iceland, based on the litho- and biostratigraphy of lake basins, indicates an overall fall in relative sea level of about 45 m between 11300 and 9100 BP, corresponding to an isostatic rebound of 77 m. The overall regression was interrupted by two minor transgressions during the late Younger Dryas and in early Preboreal, and these were probably caused by a combination of expansions of local ice caps and readvances of the Icelandic inland ice-sheet margin. Maximum absolute uplift rates are recorded during the regressional phase between the two transgressions (10000–9850 BP), with a mean value of c . 15 cm ¹⁴C yr^-1 or 11–12 cm cal. yr^-1. Mean absolute uplift during the regressional phase following the second transgression (9700–9100 BP) was around 6 cm ¹⁴C yr^-1, corresponding to c . 3 cm cal. yr^-1, and relative sea level dropped below present-day sea level at 9000 BP.     

Mercury in the Southern Ocean

We present here the first mercury speciation study in the water column of the Southern Ocean, using a high-resolution south-to-north section (27 stations from 65.50°S to 44.00°S) with up to 15 depths (0-4440 m) between Antarctica and Tasmania (Australia) along the 140°E meridian. In addition, in order to explore the role of sea ice in Hg cycling, a study of mercury speciation in the “snow-sea ice-seawater” continuum was conducted at a coastal site, near the Australian Casey station (66.40°S; 101.14°E). In the open ocean waters, total Hg (Hg_T) concentrations varied from 0.63 to 2.76 pmol L⁻¹ with “transient-type” vertical profiles and a latitudinal distribution suggesting an atmospheric mercury source south of the Southern Polar Front (SPF) and a surface removal north of the Subantartic Front (SAF). Slightly higher mean Hg_T concentrations (1.35 ± 0.39 pmol L⁻¹) were measured in Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW) compared to Antarctic Intermediate water (AAIW) (1.15 ± 0.22 pmol L⁻¹). Labile Hg (Hg_R) concentrations varied from 0.01 to 2.28 pmol L⁻¹, with a distribution showing that the Hg_T enrichment south of the SPF consisted mainly of Hg_R (67 ± 23%), whereas, in contrast, the percentage was half that in surface waters north of PFZ (33 ± 23%). Methylated mercury species (MeHg_T) concentrations ranged from 0.02 to 0.86 pmol L⁻¹. All vertical MeHg_T profiles exhibited roughly the same pattern, with low concentrations observed in the surface layer and increasing concentrations with depth up to an intermediate depth maximum. As for Hg_T, low mean MeHg_T concentrations were associated with AAIW, and higher ones with AABW. The maximum of MeHg_T concentration at each station was systematically observed within the oxygen minimum zone, with a statistically significant MeHg_Tvs Apparent Oxygen Utilization (AOU) relationship (p < 0.001). The proportion of Hg_T as methylated species was lower than 5% in the surface waters, around 50% in deep waters below 1000 m, reaching a maximum of 78% south of the SPF. At Casey coastal station Hg_T and Hg_R concentrations found in the “snow-sea ice-seawater” continuum were one order of magnitude higher than those measured in open ocean waters. The distribution of Hg_T there suggests an atmospheric Hg deposition with snow and a fractionation process during sea ice formation, which excludes Hg from the ice with a parallel Hg enrichment of brine, probably concurring with the Hg enrichment of AABW observed in the open ocean waters. Contrastingly, MeHg_T concentrations in the sea ice environment were in the same range as in the open ocean waters, remaining below 0.45 pmol L⁻¹. The MeHg_T vertical profile through the continuum suggests different sources, including atmosphere, seawater and methylation in basal ice. Whereas Hg_T concentrations in the water samples collected between the Antarctic continent and Tasmania are comparable to recent measurements made in the other parts of the World Ocean (e.g., Soerensen et al., 2010), the Hg species distribution suggests distinct features in the Southern Ocean Hg cycle: (i) a net atmospheric Hg deposition on surface water near the ice edge, (ii) the Hg enrichment in brine during sea ice formation, and (iii) a net methylation of Hg south of the SPF.     

Challenging problems in land-sea interactions

Book reviewed in this article:
Sabadini. R., Lambeck, K. & Boschi, E. (eds.) 1991: Glacial Isostas, Sea-Level and Mantle Rheology     

Storegga tsunami deposits in a coastal lake on Suouroy, the Faroe Islands

Presumed deposits of the Storegga tsunami have been recognized in a coastal lake situated 4 m a.s.l. on the island of Suðuroy, the Faroe Islands. The stratigraphy in the lake reveals a major erosion and redepositional event. The deposited material ranges from sand and sandy gyttja, with marine shell fragments and foraminifera, to gyttja with rip-up clasts, wood fragments and thin sand layers. Diatom analysis indicates that the deposit contains 5-8% polyhalobous (full marine) species, decreasing to 1-2% in the undisturbed lacustrine gyttja above. The tsunami event was dated to some time between 7300 and 6400 14 C yr BP. Lithostratigraphic profiles in the lake suggest that at least two large waves inundated the basin. The first and largest wave eroded most or all of the sediments previously deposited in the basin. The next wave caused minor erosion of the redeposited material. The waves deposited two generations of sand overlain by organic conglomerates, after which followed a unit of suspension material and normal lacustrine gyttja.     

Late Quaternary glacial history of the central west coast of Jameson Land, East Greenland

The Late Quaternary ( c . 130,000–10,000 BP) glacial history of the central west coast of Jameson Land, East Greenland, is reconstructed through glacial stratigraphical studies. Seven major sedimentary units are described and defined. They represent two interglacial events (where one is the Holocene). one interstadial event and two glacial events. The older interglacial event comprises marine and fluvial sediments, and is correlated to the Langelandselv interglacial, corresponding to oxygen isotope sub-stage 5e. It is followed by an Early Weichselian major glaciation during the Aucellaelv stade, and subsequently by an Early Weichselian interstadial marine and deltaic event (the Hugin Sø interstade). Sediments relating to the Middle Weichselian have not been recognized in the area. The Hugin Sø interstade deposits have been overrun by a Late Weichselian ice advance, during the Flakkerhuk stade, when the glacier, which probably was a thin, low gradient fjord glacier in Scoresby Sund, draped older sediments and landforms with a thin till. Subsequent to the final deglaciation, some time before 10,000BP, the sea reached the marine limit around 70 m a.s.l., and early Holocene marine, fluvial and littoral sediments were deposited in the coastal areas.     

Palaeomagnetic records from two varved clay sequences in the Middle Swedish ice marginal zone

Two varved clay sequences, at Rystad and Tottnäs, situated in the Middle Swedish ice marginal zone were analysed palaeomagnetically. Two parallel profiles were sampled and analysed at each site. The varved clay at Rystad was dated by floating varve chronology. The varves at Tottnäs can be linked to Swedish time scale, expressed in calendar years B.P. Due to the distance between the sites they cannot be correlated by means of varve diagrams. Palaemagnetic methods were used as an alternative. Based an AF demanetization of pilot samples, the palaeomanetic to be too low, in the order of15, compared to the site latitude. At Tottnäs the inclination records are very close to the expected inclination with respect to the site latitude. Because of a systematic inclination error in the Rystad profiles the correlation was based on the declination records. Statistical comparisons of these records between the two sites indicate that the sediment successions are partly synchronous. It is concluded that the deglaciation at Tottnäs started c. 130 years earlier than at Rystad. This mean that the Swedish ice marginal zone east of Rystad will have a more northeasterly extension than previously thought.     

Climate variability and glacial processes in eastern Iceland during the past 700 years based on varved lake sediments

Striberger, J., Björck, S., Ingólfsson, Ó., Kjær, K. H., Snowball, I. & Uvo, C. B. 2010: Climate variability and glacial processes in eastern Iceland during the past 700 years based on varved lake sediments. Boreas, 10.1111/j.1502‐3885.2010.00153.x. ISSN 0300‐9483. Properties of varved sediments from Lake Lögurinn in eastern Iceland and their link to climate and glacial processes of Eyjabakkajökull, an outlet glacier of the Vatnajökull icecap, were examined. A varve chronology, which covers the period AD 1262–2005, was constructed from visual observations, high‐resolution images, X‐ray density and geochemical properties determined from X‐radiography and X‐ray fluorescence scanning. Independent dating provided by ¹³⁷Cs analysis and eight historical tephras verify the varve chronology. The thickness of dark‐coloured seasonal laminae, formed mainly of coarser suspended matter from the non‐glacial river Grímsá, is positively correlated (r=0.70) with winter precipitation, and our 743‐year‐long varve series indicates that precipitation was higher and more varied during the later part of the Little Ice Age. Light‐coloured laminae thickness, controlled mainly by the amount of finer suspended matter from the glacial river Jökulsáí Fljótsdal, increased significantly during the AD 1972 surge of Eyjabakkajökull. As a consequence of the surge, the ice‐dammed Lake Háöldulón formed and recurrently drained and delivered significant amounts of rock flour to Lake Lögurinn. Based on these observations, and the recurring cyclic pattern of periods of thicker light‐coloured laminae in the sediment record, we suggest that Eyjabakkajökull has surged repeatedly during the past 743 years, but with an increased frequency during the later part of the Little Ice Age.     

Spatial and temporal distribution of Fe, Ni, Cu and Pb along 140°E in the Southern Ocean during austral summer 2001/02

The distribution of dissolved (D) and acid-dissolvable (AD) Fe, Ni, Cu and Pb in the upper water column (0–300 m depth) was determined in the Australian sector of the Southern Ocean (140°E meridian) during three cruises conducted between November 2001 and March 2002. For Ni and Cu, there was no significant difference in concentration between dissolved and acid-dissolvable species. DNi and DCu showed significant (P = 0.01) positive correlations with silicate, phosphate and nitrate, reflecting their strong nutrient-type behaviour. For Fe and Pb, the acid-dissolvable concentration mostly exceeded the dissolved concentration, reflecting the importance of labile particulate species for these elements. DPb decreased between January and February in the Polar Frontal Zone and in Antarctic continental shelf water. ADPb maxima occurred in the Antarctic Zone, resulting in a maximum AD/D ratio of 7. The mean DFe concentration in the surface mixed layer was 0.3 nM in the sub-Antarctic zone, 0.4 nM in the Polar Frontal Zone, 0.5 nM in the Antarctic Zone and increased southward beyond the Antarctic Divergence and towards the continent. DFe did not show a clear temporal change in its horizontal distribution, which was in contrast to the other nutrients and trace metals. ADFe substantially increased in Antarctic continental shelf water where the AD/D ratio reached 11. The following conclusions can be drawn from these data. (1) Ni and Cu exist exclusively as dissolved species and their distributions are mainly controlled by their biogeochemical cycling, similar to those of the major nutrients. (2) Pb is dominated by particulate species. The distribution of DPb is temporally and spatially variable due to a sporadic source and strong scavenging. (3) DFe is rather a minor fraction of total Fe in Antarctic continental shelf water where shelf sediments and Antarctic sea-ice appear to be strong sources for Fe. There is substantial temporal variation in the supply of Fe to the upper water column. DFe in the mixed layer of the open Southern Ocean is maintained at low concentrations throughout summer due to uptake by phytoplankton and scavenging.     

Climate-driven changes in lake conditions during late MIS 3 and MIS 2: a high-resolution geochemical record from Les Echets, France

A new set of geochemical data obtained from a long sediment sequence from the Les Echets basin provides a new record of palaeoenvironmental change for western Europe. The sequence covers the late part of Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 3 and MIS 2 ( c . 46.1–15.0 cal. kyr BP) and extends over 30 m of sediment, allowing for high sampling resolution. Distinct cyclic fluctuations in aquatic productivity proxies suggest a tempo of environmental change at Les Echets that resembles the one established for Dansgaard-Oeschger cycles and Heinrich events. Increases in organic carbon are paralleled by high hydrogenous contents and enriched δ¹³C_org and C_org/N_tot ratios, implying a mixture of aquatic and land-derived constituents. The stable isotope values are directly linked to primary aquatic productivity and the input of terrestrial organic matter, enriched during warm, productive, periods, and drastically depleted during cold periods, particularly Heinrich events. Phases of relatively high productivity correlate with Dansgaard-Oeschger interstadials 8–2, while Heinrich events 3 and 2 are also clearly delineated by distinct lithological horizons with very low organic contents, high dry densities and enhanced organic matter oxidation. A large hiatus occurring about the time of Heinrich event 4 suggests that the cold and dry climate reconstructed for this event in the North Atlantic region also greatly affected Les Echets and its catchment.     

AMS dating Swedish varved clays of the last glacial/interglacial transition and the potential/difficulties of calibrating Late Weichselian 'absolute' chronologies

The increasing focus on the chronology of environmental and climatic changes of the last glacial-interglacial transition has led to several independent attempts to try to calibrate the ¹⁴C time-scale beyond the Holocene. The Late Weichselian Gotiglacial varved clays of the Swedish Time Scale could potentially be used for this purpose. The reliability of the Swedish Time Scale is discussed as well as different ways of using the Swedish varved clays for calibrating the ¹⁴C chronology. The strategy and initial results from an ongoing calibration project are presented. They show clearly that, if the right strategy is adopted, varved clay may be dated by accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) ¹⁴C measurement of terrestrial macrofossils. A Late Weichselian 'event stratigraphy', including the Vedde Ash fall-out, is established for south Scandinavia using three dating categories: clay varve measurements, terrestrial macrofossil measurement, and lake sediment (including aquatic mosses) measurements. It suggests that a ¹⁴C chronology based on terrestrial organic remains is not consistent with the traditional Late Weichselian chronostratigraphy based on lake-sediment samples, and that 'clay varve years' exceed 'terrestrial ¹⁴C years' by c. 900 years at the end of, and by 1100–1200 years at the beginning of the Younger Dryas Chronozone. Further back in time, the time-scales appear to converge. These results are compared with other recently published calibration studies.