Open AccessDeglacial laminated facies on the NW European continental margin: The hydrographic significance of British‐Irish Ice Sheet deglaciation and Fleuve Manche paleoriver discharges
Author(s) -
Eynaud F.,
Zaragosi S.,
Scourse J. D.,
Mojtahid M.,
Bourillet J. F.,
Hall I. R.,
Penaud A.,
Locascio M.,
Reijonen A.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
geochemistry, geophysics, geosystems
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.928
H-Index - 136
ISSN - 1525-2027
DOI - 10.1029/2006gc001496
Subject(s) - geology , deglaciation , oceanography , hydrography , ice sheet , glacial period , paleontology , holocene
We have compiled results obtained from four high sedimentation rate hemipelagic sequences from the Celtic sector of the NW European margin (NE Atlantic) to investigate the paleoceanographic and paleoclimatic evolution of the area over the last few climatic cycles. We focus on periods characteristic of deglacial transitions. We adopt a multiproxy sedimentological, geochemical, and micropaleontological approach, applying a sampling resolution down to ten microns for specific intervals. The investigation demonstrates the relationships between the Bay of Biscay hydrography and the glacial/deglacial history of both the proximal British‐Irish Ice Sheet (BIIS) and the western European continent. We identify recurrent phases of laminae deposition concurrent with major BIIS deglacial episodes in all the studied cores. Evidence for abrupt freshwater discharges into the open ocean highlights the influence of such events at a regional scale. We discuss their impact at a global scale considering the present and past key location of the Bay of Biscay versus the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC).