Magnesium concentrations of individual shells of Globorotalia truncatulinoides

Recent work has provided useful Mg/Ca to water temperature calibrations for shallow-dwelling planktonic foraminifer species. Globorotalia truncatulinoides (right coiling (R)) is a deep-dwelling species that can serve as a source of information about the temporal variability in the water characteristics of the thermocline. We present a temperature calibration for the Mg/Ca in the shell of G. truncatulinoides (R) and examine some of the practical issues associated with evaluating the usefulness of the technique. The Mg/Ca in the primary and the secondary calcite of individual G. truncatulinoides (R) correlates exponentially with water column temperatures, showing a change of ~10% in the Mg/Ca per 1°C (R**2 = 0.92). A limited comparison with plankton tow samples demonstrates that the average Mg/Ca temperature was offset +1°C from the average temperature calculated using the d18O calibration of O'Neil et al. (1969, doi:10.1063/1.1671982), and the Mg/Ca temperatures have a range similar to the ?18O temperatures. Comparisons of the [Mg] in the core top samples to water depth of deposition indicates that dissolution does not alter the measured value of Mg in the primary calcite.

(Table 2) Uranium and thorium isotopic composition, activity ratios and ages of bivalvia shells in sediment core GIK14350, northern Germany

A new chemical procedure for cleaning marine carbonates was applied to remove detritus as well as metaloxide contaminations of marine shells from Eemian deposits and adjoining succession of a sediment core from Dagebüll, Schleswig- Holstein. Hence, one can significantly reduce the contamination with detrital uranium and thorium. Thermal ionisation mass spectrometry was applied to determine the uranium and thorium activities used for 230Th/U dating of these shells. At least ten samples of marine bivalves of five different core sections were analysed. Samples located below a five meter thick clay layer at 19-24 m yielded an average age of 132±18 ka. Shells located above the clays at 15-20 m depth were strongly influenced by percolating groundwaters of an open system. Therefore, a reliable dating of these samples was not possible.

(Table 2) Trace metal ratios of various benthic foraminifera shells

Benthic foraminiferal d13C and Cd/Ca studies suggest that deep Atlantic circulation during the Last Glacial Maximum was very different from today, with high-nutrient (low d13C, high Cd) deep Southern Ocean Water (SOW) penetrating far into the North Atlantic. However, if some glacial d13C values are biased by productivity artifacts and/or air-sea exchange processes, then the existing d13C data may be consistent with the continual dominance of North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW). Cibicidoides wuellerstorfi Cd/Ca results presented here indicate that the glacial North Atlantic was strongly enriched in dissolved Cd below ~2500 m depth. If NADW formation was still vigorous relative to SOW formation, these data could be explained by either increased preformed nutrient levels in the high-latitude North Atlantic or by increased organic matter remineralization within lower NADW. High glacial Zn/Ca values in the same samples, however, are best explained by a substantially increased mixing with Zn-rich SOW. The cause was most likely a partial replacement of NADW by less dense Glacial North Atlantic Intermediate Water. This reorganization also lowered deep North Atlantic [CO3]2- concentrations by perhaps 10 to 15 µmol/kg.

Radiocarbon datings of mollusk shells, sedimentation rates and accumulation rates of sediment matter in core PS2718-6

A bottom sediment core about 8 m long sampled in the eastern Kara Sea near the entrance to the Vil'kitsky Strait was studied. An age model was constructed based on four 14C datings obtained from by thy accelerating mass spectrometry method. Results of grain size, chemical, mineralogical, and foraminiferal analyses were adjusted to the model. A paleoceanological interpretation of these data together with paleoclimatic data on the Bol'shevik Island located in the neighborhood was performed.

Sediment age, abundance of planktonic foraminifera shells, degree of their dissolution, percentage of benthic foraminifera in total foram fauna, Core GC-11, Sea of Okhotsk

Taxonomic composition and distribution of planktonic foraminifera are studied in section of Core GC-11 penetrated through Upper Quaternary sediments of the Bowers Ridge western slope, south Bering Sea. It is shown that structure of foraminiferal assemblage and productivity varied substantially during the last 32000 calendar years in response to changes in surface water temperatures and water mass circulation in the North Pacific including the Bering Sea. Productivity was maximal during the deglaciation epoch, being notably lower in Holocene and minimal at glaciation time.

(Table 1) Radiocarbon ages of Bivalvia shells obtained from core ASV13_1157, Novaya Zemlya Trench

It is shown that sediments accumulated in the Southern Novaya Zemlya Trench at both deglaciation and marine stages. Permanent sea ice sheet existed during the deglaciation, and glacier meltwater was intensely delivered to the bottom layer. Along with the dominant sediment supply from the Southern Island of Novaya Zemlya, southern continental sources also played a noticeable role at that stage. Seasonal sea ice freezing led to the formation of cold brines at the marine stage. Like paleoproductivity, these processes were irregular. Dissolution of calcareous benthic foraminiferal tests considerably intensified after about 7 ka BP owing to a stronger Atlantic water advection into the Western Arctic and consequent increase in paleoproductivity, whereas the relative role of southern sedimentary provenances decreased. Sedimentation rates were constant (45 cm/ka) during the entire marine stage.

Cadmium analytical results from sediment and foraminifera shells

There has been a major contradiction between benthic foraminiferal Cd/Ca and d13C data concerning the labile nutrient chemistry of the Southern Ocean during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). Cd data indicates that LGM South Atlantic nutrient concentrations were as low as they are today, indicative of a persistent influx of nutrient-depleted North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW). d13C data indicates that LGM South Atlantic nutrient concentrations were much higher than at present (even higher than anywhere else in the ocean at that time), and these data have been interpreted as signifying the complete shutdown ofthe export of NADW into the global ocean. This paper examines both true geochemical differences and various confounding foraminiferal artifacts for both tracers. While many different processes and artifacts affect both tracers in the margin, we conclude the discrepancy is mainly due to the "Mackensen Effect" of low foraminiferal d13C as a result of high carbon flux to the sediments, and that LGM Atlantic Sector Southern Ocean nutrient concentrations remained similar to the levels encountered today.

Lead/Calcium profiles in the common time window 1770-2010 of the three Arctica islandica shells

In the study, we establish centennial records of anthropogenic lead pollution at different locations in the North Atlantic (Iceland, USA, and Europe) by means of lead deposited in shells of the long-lived bivalve Arctica islandica. Due to local oceanographic and geological conditions we conclude that the lead concentrations in the Icelandic shell reflect natural influxes of lead into Icelandic waters. In comparison, the lead profile of the US shell is clearly driven by anthropogenic lead emissions transported from the continent to the ocean by westerly surface winds. Lead concentrations in the European North Sea shell, in contrast, are dominantly driven by local lead sources resulting in a much less conspicuous 1970s gasoline lead peak. In conclusion, the lead profiles of the three shells are driven by different influxes of lead, and yet, all support the applicability of Pb/Ca analyses of A. islandica shells to reconstruct location specific anthropogenic lead pollution.