Open AccessReevaluation of mid‐Pliocene North Atlantic sea surface temperatures
Author(s) -
Robinson Marci M.,
Dowsett Harry J.,
Dwyer Gary S.,
Lawrence Kira T.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
paleoceanography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1944-9186
pISSN - 0883-8305
DOI - 10.1029/2008pa001608
Subject(s) - alkenone , sea surface temperature , geology , oceanography , latitude , climatology , proxy (statistics) , abyssal zone , temperature record , holocene climatic optimum , paleoclimatology , climate change , geodesy , machine learning , computer science
Multiproxy temperature estimation requires careful attention to biological, chemical, physical, temporal, and calibration differences of each proxy and paleothermometry method. We evaluated mid‐Pliocene sea surface temperature (SST) estimates from multiple proxies at Deep Sea Drilling Project Holes 552A, 609B, 607, and 606, transecting the North Atlantic Drift. SST estimates derived from faunal assemblages, foraminifer Mg/Ca, and alkenone unsaturation indices showed strong agreement at Holes 552A, 607, and 606 once differences in calibration, depth, and seasonality were addressed. Abundant extinct species and/or an unrecognized productivity signal in the faunal assemblage at Hole 609B resulted in exaggerated faunal‐based SST estimates but did not affect alkenone‐derived or Mg/Ca–derived estimates. Multiproxy mid‐Pliocene North Atlantic SST estimates corroborate previous studies documenting high‐latitude mid‐Pliocene warmth and refine previous faunal‐based estimates affected by environmental factors other than temperature. Multiproxy investigations will aid SST estimation in high‐latitude areas sensitive to climate change and currently underrepresented in SST reconstructions.