Solar radiation over and under sea ice during the POLARSTERN cruise ARK-XXVI/3 (TransArc) in summer 2011

Arctic sea ice has declined and become thinner and younger (more seasonal) during the last decade. One consequence of this is that the surface energy budget of the Arctic Ocean is changing. While the role of surface albedo has been studied intensively, it is still widely unknown how much light penetrates through sea ice into the upper ocean, affecting sea-ice mass balance, ecosystems, and geochemical processes. Here we present the first large-scale under-ice light measurements, operating spectral radiometers on a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) under Arctic sea ice in summer. This data set is used to produce an Arctic-wide map of light distribution under summer sea ice. Our results show that transmittance through first-year ice (FYI, 0.11) was almost three times larger than through multi-year ice (MYI, 0.04), and that this is mostly caused by the larger melt-pond coverage of FYI (42 vs. 23%). Also energy absorption was 50% larger in FYI than in MYI. Thus, a continuation of the observed sea-ice changes will increase the amount of light penetrating into the Arctic Ocean, enhancing sea-ice melt and affecting sea-ice and upper-ocean ecosystems.

(Table 1) 87Sr/86Sr and Sr/Ca ratios in foraminiferal calcite from DSDP Holes 3-21 and 39-357

The 87Sr/86Sr ratio of ancient seawater, as recorded in marine carbonates, is an important tracer of long-term variations in ocean chemistry (Burke et al., 1982, doi:10.1130/0091-7613(1982)10<516:VOSSTP>2.0.CO;2; Peterman et al., 1970, doi:10.1016/0016-7037(70)90154-7; Dasch and Biscaye, 1971, doi:10.1016/0012-821X(71)90164-6; Veizer and Compston, 1974, doi:10.1016/0016-7037(74)90099-4; Brass, 1976, doi:10.1016/0016-7037(76)90025-9). However, the Sr isotope balance of the oceans has been difficult to constrain; consequently, attempts to evaluate the temporal 87Sr/86Sr changes have been largely qualitative. To constrain the causes of these variations we have measured 87Sr/86Sr ratios in carefully cleaned unrecrystallized foraminifera from DSDP sites 21 and 357. The data presented here have been quantitatively modelled taking advantage of recent advances in understanding of the Sr geochemical cycle. They suggest that whereas hydrothermal fluxes and carbonate recycling are of major importance in defining the marine 87Sr/86Sr ratio, the major control over its variations through the Cenozoic has been changes in the isotope composition of Sr derived from the weathering of silicate rocks.

Lithology, mineralogy and geochemistry of ODP Hole 118-735B and 176-735B respectively

Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Hole 735B, located on Atlantis Bank on the Southwest Indian Ridge, penetrated 1508 meters below seafloor with an average recovery of 87%, providing a nearly continuous sample of a significant part of oceanic Layer 3. Based on variations in texture and mineralogy, 12 major lithologic units are recognized in the section, ranging from 39.5 to 354 m thick. The principal lithologies include troctolite, troctolitic gabbro, olivine gabbro and microgabbro, gabbro, gabbronorite and Fe-Ti oxide gabbro, gabbronorite, and microgabbro. Highly deformed mylonites, cataclasites, and amphibole gneisses are locally present, as are small quantities of pyroxenite, anorthositic gabbro, and trondhjemite. Downhole variations in mineral composition, particularly for olivine and clinopyroxene, show a number of cyclic variations. Plagioclase compositions show the widest variations and correspond to different degrees of deformation and alteration as well as primary processes. Downhole chemical variations correspond reasonably well with variations in mineral compositions. Iron and titanium mainly reflect the presence of Fe-Ti oxide gabbros but show some cyclical variations in the lower part of the core where oxide gabbros are sparse. CaO is highly variable but shows a small but consistent increase downhole. MgO is more uniform than CaO and shows a very small downward increase. Sulfur and CO2 contents are generally low, but S shows significant enrichment in lithologic Unit IV, which consists of Fe-Ti oxide gabbro, reflecting the presence of sulfide minerals in the sequence. The lithologic, mineralogical, and geochemical data provided here will allow detailed comparisons with ophiolite sections as well as sections of in situ ocean crust drilled in the future.