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Methanesulfonic acid in a Svalbard Ice Core as an indicator of ocean climate
Author(s) -
O'Dwyer Jane,
Isaksson Elisabeth,
Vinje Torgny,
Jauhiainen Tauno,
Moore John,
Pohjola Veijo,
Vaikmäe Rein,
van de Wal Roderik S. W.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/1999gl011106
Subject(s) - methanesulfonic acid , sea ice , oceanography , environmental science , dimethyl sulfide , arctic , arctic ice pack , climatology , climate change , ice core , alkenone , sea surface temperature , biota , geology , chemistry , ecology , sulfur , biology , organic chemistry
Methanesulfonic acid (MSA) is an atmospheric oxidation product of dimethyl sulfide, produced by marine biota. MSA preserved in a Svalbard glacier between 1920 and 1996 is compared with the sea surface temperature (SST) and sea‐ice extent of the surrounding ocean over the same period. On decadal timescales high MSA concentrations are found to be associated with warm SST and reduced sea‐ice extent. MSA appears to be influenced by climatic changes related to variations in the import of warm Atlantic Water to the Barents Sea. Atlantic Water plays an important role in the Arctic climate system, therefore MSA concentrations may indirectly reflect larger‐scale changes in the region and may be useful as a proxy for past climate.