Title:

Ostracode Mg/Ca paleothermometry in the North Atlantic and Arctic oceans: Evaluation of a carbonate ion effect

Author(s):

Farmer, Jesse Robert
Cronin, Thomas M.
Dwyer, Gary S.

Date:

2012

Type:

Articles

Department:

Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory

Volume:

27

Permanent URL:

http://hdl.handle.net/10022/AC:P:14402

Book/Journal Title:

Paleoceanography

Abstract:

The reconstruction of deep-sea bottom water temperature (BWT) is important to assess the ocean's response to and role in orbital- and millennial-scale climate change. Deep-sea paleothermometry employs magnesium to calcium (Mg/Ca) ratios in calcitic benthic microfaunas (foraminifera, ostracodes) as a primary proxy method. Mg/Ca paleothermometry may, however, be complicated by bottom water carbonate ion chemistry, which might affect Mg/Ca ratios in shells. To address temperature and carbonate ion influence on Mg/Ca ratios, we studied Mg/Ca ratios in the benthic ostracode genus Krithe in the North Atlantic and Arctic oceans using a 686-specimen core top collection, including 412 previously unpublished analyses. Mg/Ca ratios are positively correlated to temperature in multiple species from the North Atlantic [BWT = (0.885 × Mg/Ca) − 5.69, r2 = 0.73] and for K. glacialis in the Arctic Ocean and Nordic Seas [BWT = (0.439 × Mg/Ca) − 5.14, r2 = 0.50], consistent with previously published calibrations. We found no evidence for a relationship between Krithe Mg/Ca and carbonate ion saturation in the North Atlantic Ocean, Nordic Seas, and Arctic Ocean, supporting the use of Krithe Mg/Ca for reconstructing past BWT.

Subject(s):

Paleoclimate science

DOI:

http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2012PA002305

Item views:

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