Age models, iron intensity, magnetic susceptibility records and dry bulk density of sediment cores from around the Canary Islands

A set of 43 sediment cores from around the Canary Islands is used to characterise this region, which intersects meridional climatic regimes and zonal productivity gradients in a high spatial resolution. Using rapid and nondestructive core logging techniques we carried out Fe intensity and magnetic susceptibility (MS) measurements and created a stack on the basis of five stratigraphic reference cores, for which a stratigraphic age model was available from d18O and 14C analyses on planktonic foraminifera. By correlation of the stack with the Fe and MS records of the other cores, we were able to develop age depth models at all investigated sites of the region. We present the bulk sediment accumulation rates (AR) of the Canary Islands region as an indicator of shifts in the upwelling-influenced areas for the Holocene (0-12 ky), the deglaciation (12-18 ky) and the last glacial (18-40 ky). General observations are an enhanced productivity during glacial times with highest values during the deglaciation. The main differences between the analysed time intervals we interpret as result of the sea-level effects, changes in the extent of high productivity areas, and current intensity.

Minimum, maximum and mean annual ground temperatures in permafrost around Abisko ANS between 2008-2009

Monitoring of permafrost has been ongoing since 1978 in the Abisko area, northernmost Sweden, when measurements of active layer thickness started. In 1980, boreholes were drilled in three mires in the area to record permafrost temperatures. Recordings were made twice per year, and the last data were obtained in 2002. During the International Polar Year (2007-2008), new boreholes were drilled within the 'Back to the Future' (BTF) and 'Thermal State of Permafrost' (TSP) projects that enabled year-round temperature monitoring. Mean annual ground temperatures (MAGT) in the mires are close to 0°C, ranging from -0.16 to -0.47°C at 5 m depth. Data from the boreholes show increasing ground temperatures in the upper and lower part by 0.4 to 1°C between 1980 and 2002. At one mire, permafrost thickness has decreased from 15 m in 1980 to ca. 9 m in 2009, with an accelerating thawing trend during the last decade.

Archaeological sites in China during the Neolithic and Bronze Age

A total of 51,074 archaeological sites from the early Neolithic to the early Iron Age (c. 8000-500 BC), with a spatial extent covering most regions of China (c. 73-131°E and c. 20-53°N), were analysed over space and time in this study. Site maps of 25 Chinese provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities, published in the series 'Atlas of Chinese Cultural Relics', were used to extract, digitalise and correlate its archaeological data. The data were, in turn, entered into a database using a self-developed mapping software that makes the data, in a dynamic way, analysable as a contribution to various scientific questions, such as population growth and migrations, spread of agriculture and changes in subsistence strategies. The results clearly show asynchronous patterns of changes between the northern and southern parts of China (i.e. north and south of the Yangtze River, respectively) but also within these macro-regions. In the northern part of China (i.e. along the Yellow River and its tributaries and in the Xiliao River basin), the first noticeable increase in the concentration of Neolithic sites occurred between c. 5000 and 4000 BC; however, highest site concentrations were reached between c. 2000 and 500 BC. Our analysis shows a radical north-eastern shift of high site-density clusters (over 50 sites per 100 * 100 km grid cell) from the Wei and middle/lower Yellow Rivers to the Liao River system sometime between 2350 BC and 1750 BC. This shift is hypothetically discussed in the context of the incorporation of West Asian domesticated animals and plants into the existing northern Chinese agricultural system. In the southern part of China, archaeological sites do not show a noticeable increase in the absolute number of sites until after c. 1500 BC, reaching a maximum around 1000 BC.

Annotated record of the detailed examination of Mn deposits from the QUEBRADA (1969) and SIQUEIROS (1974) expeditions around the East Pacific Rise

Basalt samples obtained from the Siqueiros transform fault/fracture zone and the adjacent East Pacific Rise are mostly very fresh oceanic tholeiite and fractionated oceanic tholeiite with Fe+3/ Fe+2 ? 0.25; however, alkali basalts occur in the area as well. The rocks of the tholeiitic suite are ol + pl phyric and ol + pl + cpx phyric basalts, while the alkali basalts are ol and ol + pl phyric. Microprobe analyses of the tholeiitic suite phenocrysts indicate that they are Fo68-Fo86, An58-An75, and augite (Ca34Mg50Fe16). The range of olivine and plagioclase compositions represents the chemical variation of the phenocryst compositions with fractionation. The phenocyrsts in the alkali basalts are Fo81 and An69. The suite of tholeiites comprises a fractionation series characterized by relative enrichment of Fe, Ti, Mn, V, Na, K, and P and depletion of Ca, Al, Mg, Ni, and Cr. The fractionated tholeiites occur on the median ridge (which is a sliver of normal oceanic crust) of the double Siqueiros transform fault, on the western Siqueiros fracture zone, and on the adjoining East Pacific Rise, while the two transform fault troughs contain mostly unfractionated or only slightly fractionated tholeiite. We suggest that the fractionated tholeiites are produced by fractional crystallization of more 'primitive' tholeiitic liquid in a crustal magma chamber below the crest of the East Pacific Rise. This magma chamber may be disrupted by the transform fault troughs, thus explaining the paucity of fractionated tholeiites in the troughs. The alkali basalts are found only on the flanks of a topographic high near the intersection of the northern transform trough with the East Pacific Rise.

Time series of air chemistry measurements at Georg-von-Neumayer station, Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica in the years 1982 to 1991

The first Air Chemistry Observatory at the German Antarctic station Georg von Neumayer (GvN) was operated for 10 years from 1982 to 1991. The focus of the established observational programme was on characterizing the physical properties and chemical composition of the aerosol, as well as on monitoring the changing trace gas composition of the background atmosphere, especially concerning greenhouse gases. The observatory was designed by the Institut für Umweltphysik, University of Heidelberg (UHEIIUP). The experiments were installed inside the bivouac lodge, mounted on a sledge and put upon a snow hill to prevent snow accumulation during blizzards. All experiments were under daily control and daily performance protocols were documented. A ventilated stainless steel inlet stack (total height about 3-4 m above the snow surface) with a 50% aerodynamic cut-off diameter around 7-10 µm at wind velocities between 4-10 m/s supplied all experiments with ambient air. Contamination free sampling was realized by several means: (i) The Air Chemistry Observatory was situated in a clean air area about 1500 m south of GvN. Due to the fact that northern wind directions are very rare, contamination from the base can be excluded for most of the time. (ii) The power supply (20 kW) is provided by a cable from the main station, thus no fuel-driven generator is operated in the very vicinity. (iii) Contamination-free sampling is controlled by the permanently recorded wind velocity, wind direction and by condensation particle concentration. Contamination was indicated if one of the following criteria were given: Wind direction within a 330°-30° sector, wind velocity <2.2 m/s or >17.5 m/s, or condensation particle concentrations >2500/cm**3 during summer, >800/cm**3 during spring/autumn and >400/cm**3 during winter. If one or a definable combination of these criteria were given, high volume aerosol sampling and part of the trace gas sampling were interrupted. Starting at 1982 through 1991-01-14 surface ozone was measured with an electrochemical concentration cell (ECC). Surface ozone mixing ratio are given in ppbv = parts per 10**9 by volume. The averaging time corresponds to the given time intervals in the data sheet. The accuracy of the values are better than ±1 ppbv and the detection limit is around 1.0 ppbv. Aerosols were sampled on two Whatman 541 cellulose filters in series and analyzed by ion chromatography at the UHEI-IUP. Generally, the sampling period was seven days but could be up to two weeks on occasion. The air flow was around 100 m**3/h and typically 10000-20000 m**3 of ambient air was forced through the filters for one sample. Concentration values are given in nanogram (ng) per 1 m**3 air at standard pressure and temperature (1013 mbar, 273.16 K). Uncertainties of the values were approximately ±10% to ±15% for the main components MSA, chloride, nitrate, sulfate and sodium, and between ±20% and ±30% for the minor species bromide, ammonium, potassium, magnesium and calcium.

PIES time series in the North Atlantic at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (2006-2010)

In the western North Atlantic, warm and saline water is brought by the North Atlantic Current (NAC) from the subtropics into the subpolar gyre. Four inverted echo sounders with high precision pressure sensors (PIES) were moored between 47°40' N and 52°30' N to study the main pathways of the NAC from the western into the eastern basin. The array configuration that forms three segments (northern, central, and southern) allows partitioning of the NAC and some assessment of NAC flow paths through the different Mid-Atlantic Ridge fracture zones. We exploit the correlation between the NAC transport measured between 2006 and 2010 and the geostrophic velocity from altimeter data to extend the time series of NAC transports to the period from 1992 to 2013. The mean NAC transport over the entire 21 years is 27 ± 5 Sv, consisting of 60% warm water of subtropical origin and 40% subpolar water. We did not find a significant trend in the total transport time series, but individual segments had opposing trends, leading to a more focused NAC in the central subsection and decreasing transports in the southern and northern segments. The spectral analysis exhibits several significant peaks. The two most prominent are around 120 days, identified as the time scale of meanders and eddies, and at 4-9 years, most likely related to the NAO. Transport composites for the years of highest and lowest NAO indices showed a significantly higher transport (+2.9 Sv) during strong NAO years, mainly in the southern segment.

Orbitally tuned time scale and astronomical forcing in the middle Eocene to early Oligocene determined on ODP and IODP sediment cores

Deciphering the driving mechanisms of Earth system processes, including the climate dynamics expressed as paleoceanographic events, requires a complete, continuous, and high-resolution stratigraphy that is very accurately dated. In this study, we construct a robust astronomically calibrated age model for the middle Eocene to early Oligocene interval (31-43 Ma) in order to permit more detailed study of the exceptional climatic events that occurred during this time, including the Middle Eocene Climate Optimum and the Eocene/Oligocene transition. A goal of this effort is to accurately date the middle Eocene to early Oligocene composite section cored during the Pacific Equatorial Age Transect (PEAT, IODP Exp. 320/321). The stratigraphic framework for the new time scale is based on the identification of the stable long eccentricity cycle in published and new high-resolution records encompassing bulk and benthic stable isotope, calibrated XRF core scanning, and magnetostratigraphic data from ODP Sites 171B-1052, 189-1172, 199-1218, and 207-1260 as well as IODP Sites 320-U1333, and -U1334 spanning magnetic polarity Chrons C12n to C20n. Subsequently we applied orbital tuning of the records to the La2011 orbital solution. The resulting new time scale revises and refines the existing orbitally tuned age model and the Geomagnetic Polarity Time Scale from 31 to 43 Ma. Our newly defined absolute age for the Eocene/Oligocene boundary validates the astronomical tuned age of 33.89 Ma identified at the Massignano (Italy) global stratotype section and point. Our compilation of geochemical records of climate-controlled variability in sedimentation through the middle-to-late Eocene and early Oligocene demonstrates strong power in the eccentricity band that is readily tuned to the latest astronomical solution. Obliquity driven cyclicity is only apparent during very long eccentricity cycle minima around 35.5 Ma, 38.3 Ma and 40.1 Ma.

Near real time surface ocean velocity, Tyrrhenian Sea and Ligurian Sea in September 2016

The data set consists of maps of total velocity of the surface current in the North-Western Tyrrhenian Sea and Ligurian Sea averaged over a time interval of 1 hour around the cardinal hour. Surface ocean velocities estimated by HF Radar are representative of the upper 0.3-2.5 meters of the ocean. Total velocities are derived using least square fit that maps radial velocities measured from individual sites onto a cartesian grid. The final product is a map of the horizontal components of the ocean currents on a regular grid in the area of overlap of two or more radar stations.

Dissolved seawater neodymium isotopes, radium isotopes and rare earth element concentrations measured in coastal waters around Oahu and at HOT-ALOHA

Dissolved seawater neodymium isotopes, radium isotopes and rare earth element concentrations measured in coastal waters around Oahu and at HOT-ALOHA. Data from R/V Kilo Moana cruise KM1107 supplement by data from Kilo Moana cruises KM1215 (Hoe-Dylan V), KM1219 (Hoe-Dylan IX), KM1309 (Hoe-Phor I) and KM1316 (Hoe-Phor II).

Near real time surface ocean velocity in the Bay of Biscay - Basque Country from Mai to September 2016

The data set consists of maps of total velocity of the surface current in the Southeastern Bay of Biscay averaged over a time interval of 1 hour around the cardinal hour. Surface ocean velocities estimated by this HF Radar(4.65 MHz) are representative of the upper 2-3 meters of the ocean. The main objective of near real time processing is to produce the best product from available data at the time of processing. Total velocities are derived using least square fit that maps radial velocities measured from individual sites onto a cartesian grid. The final product is a map of the horizontal components of the ocean currents on a regular grid in the area of overlap of two or more radar stations.

(Table 1) Salinity, dissolved organic carbon and absorption characteristics of surface river waters around Hudson Bay

Composition and concentration of colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) have been determined in Hudson Bay and Hudson Strait by excitation emission matrix spectroscopy (EEM) and parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC). Based on 63 surface samples, PARAFAC identified three fluorescent components, which were attributed to two humic- and one protein-like components. One humic-like component was identified as representing terrestrial organic matter and showed a conservative behaviour in Hudson Bay estuaries. The second humic-like component, traditionally identified as peak M, originated both from land and produced in the marine environment. Component 3 had spectra resembling protein-like material and thought to be plankton-derived. The distribution and composition of CDOM were largely controlled by water mass mixing with protein-like component being the least affected. Distinctive fluorescence patterns were also found between Hudson Bay and Hudson Strait, suggesting different sources of CDOM. The optically active fraction of DOC (both absorbing and fluorescing) was very high in the Hudson Bay (up to 89%) suggesting that fluorescence and absorbance can be used as proxies of the DOC concentration.