Strontium isotope ratios of planktonic foraminifera from ODP Site 119-744 on the Kerguelen Plateau, Indian Ocean (Table 1)

87Sr/86Sr ratios of well-preserved early Miocene-Oligocene planktonic foraminifers from Site 744 in the southern Indian Ocean provide the highest southern latitude Sr isotope record of this age. The isotopic data have been calibrated with the site magnetostratigraphy. 87Sr/86Sr ages were also determined using the Sr isotope-age equations of Miller et al. (1988, doi:10.1029/PA003i002p00223) and Hess et al. (1989, doi:10.1029/PA004i006p00655). There is good agreement between the calculated ages from 87Sr/86Sr measurements using these equations and those derived from magnetobiostratigraphy. In addition, these equations were useful for inference of sediment ages in intervals where the paleomagnetic record is not well resolved and the biostratigraphy is inconclusive. The Site 744 87Sr/86Sr record can be used for correlation of Antarctic and low-latitude sequences and biostratigraphical zonation of foraminifers, radiolarians, diatoms, and calcareous nannofossils. This record will assist in the development of the high southern latitude biochronology.

Stable oxygen isotope ratios of benthic and planktonic foraminifera from early Miocene sediments of DSDP Site 90-593 on the Challenger Plateau, Pacific Ocean (Table 1)

Oxygen isotope data are compared with relative abundances of selected planktic foraminifera through a ca. 15 m interval at DSDP Site 593 (Tasman Sea, southwest Pacific, 40°S) in which there are prominent changes in population sizes, as well as several evolutionary events. We focus on the relation between faunal and climatic histories. The base of early Miocene oxygen isotope Zone Mi1b (uppermost planktic foraminiferal Zone N.6) is identified from closesampled (c. 14 kyr) isotope records of Globigerina woodi and Cibicides kullenbergi. Chronostratigraphic interpolations, using the first occurrences of Globorotalia praescitula, G. mimea and Praeorbulina curva give an age estimate of ca. 18.4 Ma (cf. 18.1 -18.3 Ma for the base of the zone at DSDP Site 608 (type level, north Atlantic, 43°N) ). Another significant benthic delta18O enrichment event, informally designated as the base of zone "Mi1c", is identified 10 m higher in the sequence at ca. 17.8 Ma. Populations of Globoquadriau dehiscens and Globigerinoides trilobus (inferred to be near the southern margin of their distributions) either reduced considerably or withdrew, particularly in the vicinity of zone "Mi1c". A bioseries linking Globorotalia incognita with G. zealandica developed following the benthic delta18O enrichment spike at the base of Zone Mi1b; the latter species became extinct (at least regionally) just above the base of zone "Mi1c". In contrast, the apparently opportunistic Globorotlia praescitula increased dramatically in abundance at this time; there were also transformations in its architecture, leading to the evolutionary appearance of G. miozea. While planktic foraminifera abundances often do not closely covary with the detailed isotope records and tend to be more stable through time, the near coincidence of evolutionary and biogeographic events with isotopic events suggests at least indirect adaptive responses to climatic changes. Early Miocene middle-latitude planktic foraminiferal evolution, biogeography, and biostratigraphy, may be intimately connected with climatic history.

Radiolarians from ODP Leg 119, Kerguelen Plateau

Radiolarians are abundant and well preserved in the Neogene of the Kerguelen Plateau. They are common and moderately to well preserved in the Oligocene sequences of Site 738, where the Eocene/Oligocene boundary was observed for the first time in subantarctic sediments, and Site 744. Radiolarians are absent from all glacial sediments from Prydz Bay. Classical Neogene stratigraphic markers were tabulated at all sites. Correlations with paleomagnetic ages were made at Sites 745 and 746 for 26 Pliocene-Pleistocene radiolarian events. Many Miocene to Holocene species are missing from Sites 736 and 737, which were drilled in shallow water (less than 800 m). The missing species are considered to be deepliving forms. Occurrences and relative abundances of morphotypes at six sites are reported. Two new genera (Eurystomoskevos and Cymaetron) and 17 new species (Actinomma kerguelenensis, A. campilacantha, Prunopyle trypopyrena, Stylodictya tainemplekta, Lithomelissa cheni, L. dupliphysa, Lophophaena(?) thaumasia, Pseudodictyophimus galeatus, Lamprocyclas inexpectata, L. prionotocodon, Botryostrobus kerguelensis, B. rednosus, Dictyoprora physothorax, Eucyrtidium antiquum, E.(?) mariae, Eurystomoskevos petrushevskaae, and Cymaetron sinolampas) are described from the middle Eocene to Oligocene sediments at Sites 738 and 744. Twenty-seven stratigraphic events are recorded in the middle to late Eocene of Site 738, and 27 additional stratigraphic datums are recorded, and correlated to paleomagnetic stratigraphy, in the early Oligocene at Sites 738 and 744. Eight radiolarian events are recorded in the late Oligocene at Site 744. New evolutionary lineages are proposed for Calocyclas semipolita and Prunopyle trypopyrena.

Middle Miocene isotope stratigraphy and paleoceanographic evolution of the northwest and southwest Australian margins (Wombat Plateau and Great Australian Bight)

The benthic stable isotope record from ODP Site 761 (Wombat Plateau, NW Australia, 2179.3 m water depth) documents complete recovery of the middle Miocene delta13C excursion corresponding to the climatic optimum and subsequent expansion of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet. The six main delta13C maxima of the "Monterey Excursion" between 16.4 and 13.6 Ma and the characteristic stepped increase in delta18O between 14.5 and 13.9 Ma are clearly identified. The sedimentary record of the shallower ODP Sites 1126 and 1134 [Great Australian Bight (GAB), SWAustralia, 783.8 and 701 m water depth, respectively] is truncated by several unconformities. However, a composite benthic stable isotope curve for these sites provides a first middle Miocene bathyal record for southwest Australia. The delta18O and delta13C curves for Sites 1126 and 1134 indicate a cooler, better-ventilated water mass at ~700 m water depth in the Great Australian Bight since approximately 16 Ma. This cooler and younger water mass probably originated from a close southern source. Cooling of the bottom water at ~16 Ma started much earlier than at other sites of equivalent paleodepths in the central and western parts of the Indian Ocean. At Site 761, the delta18O curve shows an excellent match with the global sea level curve between ~11.5 and 15.1 Ma, and thus closely reflects changes in global ice volume. Prior to 15.1 Ma, the mismatch between the delta18O curve and the sea level curve indicates that delta18O fluctuations are mainly due to changes in bottom water temperature.

Benthic foraminiferal assemblages and epifaunal isotope record of the Agulhas Plateau

Benthic foraminiferal assemblages and the carbon isotope composition of the epifaunal benthic foraminifera Epistominella exigua and Fontbotia wuellerstorfi have been investigated along core MD02-2589 located at the southern Agulhas Plateau (41°26.03'S, 25°15.30'E, 2660 m water depth). This study aims to evaluate changes in the benthic paleoenvironment and its influence on benthic d13C with a notable focus on E. exigua, a species associated with phytodetritus deposits and poorly studied in isotope paleoceanographic reconstructions. The benthic foraminiferal assemblages (>63 µm) show large fluctuations in species composition suggesting significant changes in the pattern of ocean surface productivity conceivably related to migrations of the Subtropical Convergence (STC) and Subantarctic Front (SAF). Low to moderate seasonality and relatively higher food supply to the seafloor are indicated during glacial marine isotope stages (MIS) 6, 4, and 2 and during MIS 3, probably associated with the northward migration of the SAF and confluence with the more stationary STC above the southern flank of the Agulhas Plateau. The lowest organic carbon supply to the seafloor is indicated from late MIS 5b to MIS 4 as a consequence of increased influence of the Agulhas Front (AF) and/or weakening of the influence of the STC over the region. Episodic delivery of fresh organic matter, similar to modern conditions at the core location, is indicated during MIS 5c-MIS 5e and at Termination I. Comparison of this paleoenvironmental information with the paired d13C records of E. exigua and F. wuellerstorfi suggests that organic carbon offsets d13C of E. exigua from ambient bottom water d13CDIC, while its d13C amplitude, on glacial-interglacial timescales, does not seem affected by changes of organic carbon supply to the seafloor. This suggests that this species calcifies preferentially during the short time span of the year when productivity peaks and phytodetritus is delivered to the seafloor. Therefore E. exigua, while offset from d13CDIC, potentially more faithfully records the amplitude of ambient bottom water d13CDIC changes than F. wuellerstorfi, notably in settings such as the Southern Ocean that experienced substantial changes through time in the organic carbon supply to the seafloor.

Diversity of benthic foraminiferal faunas in Tertiary and Quaternary sediments of DSDP Hole 33-317_Site from the Manihiki Plateau, Pacific Ocean (Table 1)

A study is made of the benthic foraminifers (size fraction > 63 µm) recovered from 59 upper Eocene through Quaternary sediment samples at DSDP Site 317 (Leg 33), located at a depth of 2598 m in the central part of the Manihiki Plateau (South Pacific). The sediments cored are disturbed in only two samples. The stratigraphic assignements used are based on previous studies of planktic foraminifers and other microfossils. In total, 216 taxa are identified. A cluster analysis based on the 77 species which comprised 5% or more of the entire foraminiferal assemblage in at least one sample suggests the presence of 3 major biostratigraphic zones corresponding approximately to the following ages, zone A: middle Miocene-Quaternary; zones B-C: early Miocene-Oligocene; and zone D: Eocene. The most important faunal turnover occurred between the Eocene and the Oligocene; a less pronounced break took place between the early and the middle Miocene, and an additional minor turnover between the Oligocene and the early Miocene. Eighteen taxa are long-ranging, being recorded from the middle Eocene through the Pliocene-Quaternary. It is concluded that, in general, benthic foraminifers of the bathyal zone are poor worldwide stratigraphic guide fossils; the following taxa are conditionally considered as the most suitable in the Eocene-Quaternary sequence: Aragonia aragonensis, Quadrimorphina profunda, Nuttallides truempyi, Abyssamina poagi, Buliminella grata, Bulimina jarvisi, B. macilenta, Turrilina alsatica, Cibicides notocenicus, C. wuellerstorfi, Pyrgo murrhina. However, most of these species are relatively rare.

(Table T1) Mineralogy and geochemistry of ODP Hole 192-1183A and Hole 192-1186A sediments, Ontong Java Plateau

Boron, Ca, Na, and Gd concentrations and H intensity in sediments obtained during Ocean Drilling Program Leg 192 were determined by prompt gamma neutron activation analysis. The results show strong positive correlation between B content and H intensity in carbonate samples; chalk samples have higher B contents than limestone samples. Average B content is 9.1 ppm for the chalk and 5.2 ppm for the limestone. When chert blocks or clay minerals are present in the carbonate samples, B content increases (up to 91 ppm).

Observation of manganese nodules and crusts in the Blake Plateau area

In late June and July, 1967, the Deep Submergence Research Vehicle (DSRV) ALVIN, aboard its mother ship, LULU, proceeded from the spring base of operations, Nassau, to its home port of Woods Hole. During this trip, from July 2 to July 14, a series of five dives were made by ALVIN on the Blake Plateau off Georgia and South Carolina, and on the continental slope north of Cape Hatteras. One of the objectives of the dive was to investigate the manganese and phosphate deposits of the Blake Plateau.

Oxygen and carbon isotope ratios for six planktonic foraminifer species from different water depth, Ontong-Java Plateau, Pacific (Table 2)

Stable isotope analyses and scanning electron micrographs have been carried out on six planktonic forminifera species, Pulleniatina obliquiloculata, Globorotalia tumida, Sphaeroidinella dehiscens, Globigerinoides ruber, Globigerinoides sacculifer and Globigerinoides quadrilobatus from eleven box-cores taken at increasing depths in the equatorial Ontong-Java Plateau (Pacific). This allows us to describe the way dissolution affects the microstructures of the tests of the different species and to quantify the changes of isotopic composition. We may conclude that: 1) dissolution effects on test morphology and stable isotope compositions are species dependent, species with a similar habitat showing a similar trend; 2) the shallow water, thin-shelled species are the first to disappear: scanning electron microscope (SEM) work shows alteration of outer layers. Deep water, thick-shelled species are present in all samples: SEM work shows breakdown and disparition of inner layers; 3) for all species there is a similar trend towards increasing delta18O values with increasing water depths and increasing dissolution. This effect may be as high as 0.6 ? per thousand meters for Globorotalia tumida; 4) below the lysocline, around 3500 m, it appears that 13C/12C ratios slightly increase towards equilibrium values for thick shelled species: G. tumida, P. obliquiloculata and S. dehiscens. 14C dates and isotope stratigraphy of two box-cores show that all samples are recent in age, and exclude upward mixing of glacial deposits as an important factor.

Investigation of manganese nodules from the Malvinas (Falkland) Plateau

Manganese nodules occurring within marine sediments of presumably Upper Miocene-Lower Pliocene age from cores obtained by the Argentine oceanographic vessel ARA Islas Orcadas in 1977 on the Malvinas (Falkland) Plateau and neighbouring Scotia Sea were studied with the aim of comparing them with other fossil nodules found on the mainland of Argentina that were also ascribed to the marine environment. After optical mineralogical, chemical, X-ray and trace element analysis, the studied "nodules" proved to be actually wacke clasts cemented by manganese oxides with a high Fe/Mn ratio corresponding to a continental environment. The studied "nodules" thus differ from the Argentine mainland nodules and are supposed to have been transported from continental environments and then deposited in the marine realms. The wacke clasts became then nuclei for the deposition of the marine manganese oxides of the coatings. The proportion of trace elements, which is high, suggests the growth of the nodules in the marine environment.

Stable oxygen isotope record of foraminifera from the Ontong Java Plateau

We provide a reconstruction of atmospheric CO2 from deep-sea sediments, for the past 625000 years (Milankovitch chron). Our database consists of a Milankovitch template of sea-level variation in combination with a unique data set for the deep-sea record for Ontong Java plateau in the western equatorial Pacific. We redate the Vostok ice-core data of Barnola et al. (1987, doi:10.1038/329408a0). To make the reconstructions we employ multiple regression between deep-sea data, on one hand, and ice-core CO2 data in Antarctica, on the other. The patterns of correlation suggest that the main factors controlling atmospheric CO2 can be described as a combination of sea-level state and sea-level change. For best results squared values of state and change are used. The square-of-sea-level rule agrees with the concept that shelf processes are important modulators of atmospheric CO2 (e.g., budgets of shelf organic carbon and shelf carbonate, nitrate reduction). The square-of-change rule implies that, on short timescales, any major disturbance of the system results in a temporary rise in atmospheric CO2.

(Supporting Information) 14Cage plateau tuning of local Atlantic sediment cores

Modeling studies predict that changes in radiocarbon (14C) reservoir ages of surface waters during the last deglacial episode will reflect changes in both atmospheric 14C concentration and ocean circulation including the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation. Tests of these models require the availability of accurate 14C reservoir ages in well-dated late Quaternary time series. We here test two models using plateau-tuned 14C time series in multiple well-placed sediment core age-depth sequences throughout the lower latitudes of the Atlantic Ocean. 14C age plateau tuning in glacial and deglacial sequences provides accurate calendar year ages that differ by as much as 500-2500 years from those based on assumed global reservoir ages around 400 years. This study demonstrates increases in local Atlantic surface reservoir ages of up to 1000 years during the Last Glacial Maximum, ages that reflect stronger trades off Benguela and summer winds off southern Brazil. By contrast, surface water reservoir ages remained close to zero in the Cariaco Basin in the southern Caribbean due to lagoon-style isolation and persistently strong atmospheric CO2 exchange. Later, during the early deglacial (16 ka) reservoir ages decreased to a minimum of 170-420 14C years throughout the South Atlantic, likely in response to the rapid rise in atmospheric pCO2 and Antarctic temperatures occurring then. Changes in magnitude and geographic distribution of 14C reservoir ages of peak glacial and deglacial surface waters deviate from the results of Franke et al. (2008) but are generally consistent with those of the more advanced ocean circulation model of Butzin et al. (2012).

Observations and rare earth element composition of manganese nodules during Atlantis cruise AT266, Blake Plateau

An area of about 22,000 km² on the northern Blake Plateau, off the coast of South Carolina, contains an estimated 2 billion metric tons of phosphorite concretions, and about 1.2 billion metric tons of mixed ferromanganese-phosphorite pavement. Other offshore phosphorites occur between the Blake Plateau and known continental deposits, buried under variable thicknesses of sediments. The phosphorite resembles other marine phosphorites in composition, consisting primarily of carbonate-fluorapatite, some calcite, minor quartz and other minerals. The apatite is optically pseudo-isotropic and contains about 6% [CO3]**2- replacing [PO4]**3- in its structure. JOIDES drillings and other evidence show that the phosphorite is a lag deposit derived from Miocene strata correlatable with phosphatic Middle Tertiary sediments on the continent. It has undergone variable cycles of erosion, reworking, partial dissolution and reprecipitation. Its present form varies from phosphatized carbonate debris, loose pellets, and pebbles, to continuous pavements, plates, and conglomeratic boulders weighing hundreds of kilograms. No primary phosphatization is currently taking place on the Blake Plateau. The primary phosphate-depositing environment involved reducing conditions and required at least temporary absence of the powerful Gulf Stream current that now sweeps the bottom of the Blake Plateau and has eroded away the bulk of the Hawthorne-equivalent sediments with which the phosphorites were once associated.

Radiocarbon ages, grain sizes, paleomagentic properties and XRF data of Lake Nam Co sediments, Tibetan Plateau

In September 2008 several cores (68 cm-115 cm length) (water depth: 93 m) were retrieved from Lake Nam Co (southern-central Tibetan Plateau; 4718 m a.s.l.). This study focuses on the interpretation of high-resolution (partly 0.2 cm) data from three gravity cores and the upper part of a 10.4 m long piston core, i.e., the past 4000 cal BP in terms of lake level changes, hydrological variations in the catchment area and consequently variations in monsoon strength. A wide spectrum of sedimentological, geochemical and mineralogical investigations was carried out. Results are presented for XRF core-scans, grain size distribution, XRD-measurements and SEM-image analyses. These data are complemented by an age-depth model using 210Pb and 137Cs analyses as well as eleven AMS-14C-ages. This model is supported by excellent agreement between secular variations determined on one of the gravity cores to geomagnetic field models. This is a significant improvement of the chronology as most catchments of lacustrine systems on the Tibetan Plateau contain carbonates resulting in an unknown reservoir effect for radiocarbon dates. The good correlation of our record to the geomagnetic field models confirms our age-depth model and indicates only insignificant changes in the reservoir effect throughout the last 4 ka. High (summer-) monsoonal activity, i.e. moist environmental conditions, was detected in our record between approximately 4000 and 1950 cal BP as well as between 1480 and 1200 cal BP. Accordingly, lower monsoon activity prevails in periods between the two intervals and thereafter. This pattern shows a good correlation to the variability of the Indian Ocean Summer Monsoon (IOSM) as recorded in a peat bog ~1000 km in NE direction from Lake Nam Co. This is the first time that such a supra regional homogenous monsoon activity is shown on the Tibetan Plateau and beyond. Finally our data show a significant lake level rise after the Little Ice Age (LIA) in Lake Nam Co which is suggested to be linked to glacier melting in consequence of rising temperatures occurring on the whole Tibetan Plateau during this time.

PSV for the past 16 ka cal BP from Lake Tangra Yumco, Tibetan Plateau

Paleomagnetic data including inclination, declination, MAD values and MDF are given on an event correct composite depth (ECCD) and age for the composite lacustrine record TAN12-2 from Lake Tangra Yumco, Tibetan Plateau.