Open AccessVariation in surface and deep water circulation in the Denmark Strait, North Atlantic, during marine isotope stages 3 and 2
Author(s) -
Hagen Sveinung,
Hald Morten
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
paleoceanography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1944-9186
pISSN - 0883-8305
DOI - 10.1029/2001pa000632
Subject(s) - geology , oceanography , north atlantic deep water , circumpolar deep water , meltwater , paleoceanography , bottom water , water mass , foraminifera , glacial period , antarctic bottom water , gulf stream , thermohaline circulation , paleontology , benthic zone
The paleoceanography in the Denmark Strait, North Atlantic, is reconstructed based on down core analysis of planktonic foraminifera, carbon and oxygen isotopes, carbonate, and ice rafted debris (IRD). The stratigraphy spans 57 to 6 calibrated (cal) ka years and reveals sea surface temperatures that covary with Greenland ice core temperatures throughout marine isotope stages (MIS) 3 and 2. Planktonic δ 18 O minima, interpreted as meltwater events, follow sea surface warming. IRD from both the Greenland and Iceland Ice Sheets was delayed by ∼2 ka relative to the North Atlantic Heinrich events. Ventilation of bottom water was mostly sustained through open ocean convection associated with North Atlantic Deep Water production or by convection of glacial North Atlantic Intermediate Water, except for two episodes at ∼54 cal ka (MIS 3.31) and 18–15 cal ka (termination I). During these two periods we suggest that deep water ventilation was accomplished mainly by brine formation.