Age determination of corals from the North Atlantic and the Tasman Sea

During the past 40,000 years, global climate has moved into and out of a full glacial period, with the deglaciation marked by several millennial-scale rapid climate change events. Here we investigate the ecological response of deep-sea coral communities to both glaciation and these rapid climate change events. We find that the deep-sea coral populations of Desmophyllum dianthus in both the North Atlantic and the Tasmanian seamounts expand at times of rapid climate change. However, during the more stable Last Glacial Maximum, the coral population globally retreats to a more restricted depth range. Holocene populations show regional patterns that provide some insight into what causes these dramatic changes in population structure. The most important factors are likely responses to climatically driven changes in productivity, [O2] and [CO3]2-.

Geochemical and isotopic composition of pore fluids of ODP Hole 131-808C

At the Western Nankai Trough subduction zone at ODP Site 808, chemical concentration and isotopic ratio depth profiles of D, O, Sr, and He do not support fluid flow along the décollement nor at the frontal thrust. They do, however, support continuous or periodic lateral fluid flow: (1) at the base of the Shikoku Basin volcanic-rich sediment member, situated ~140 m above the décollement, and particularly (2) below the décollement. The latter must have been rather vigorous, as it was capable of transporting clay minerals over great distances. The fluid at ~140 m above the décollement is characterized by lower than seawater concentrations of Cl- (>=18% seawater dilution). It is 18O-rich and D-poor and has a non-radiogenic, oceanic, or volcanic arc Sr isotopic signature. It originates from "volcanic" clay diagenesis. The fluid below the décollement has also less Cl- than seawater (>20% dilution), is more enriched in 18O and depleted in D than fluid, but its Sr isotopic signature is radiogenic, continentalterrigenous. The source of this fluid is located arcward, is deep-seated, where illitization of the subducted clay minerals, a mixture of terrigenous and volcanic clays, occurs. The 3He/4He ratio below the décollement points to an ~25% mantle contribution. The nature of the physical and chemical discontinuities across the décollement suggests it is overpressured and is forming a leaky "dynamic seal" for fluid flow. In contrast with the situation at Barbados and Peru, where the major tectonic features are mineralized, here, although the complex is extremely fractured and faulted, mineralized macroscopic veins, fractures, and faults are absent. Instead, mineralized microstructures are widespread, indicating a diffuse mode of dewatering.

Carbonates and selected geochemistry composition for sediments from Lake Iznik for the past 31 ka cal BP

This study examines the forcing mechanisms driving long-term carbonate accumulation and preservation in lacustrine sediments in Lake Iznik (northwestern Turkey) since the last glacial. Currently, carbonates precipitate during summer from the alkaline water column, and the sediments preserve aragonite and calcite. Based on X-ray diffraction data, carbonate accumulation has changed significantly and striking reversals in the abundance of the two carbonate polymorphs have occurred on a decadal time scale, during the last 31 ka cal BP. Different lines of evidence, such as grain size, organic matter and redox sensitive elements, indicate that reversals in carbonate polymorph abundance arise due to physical changes in the lacustrine setting, for example, water column depth and lake mixing. The aragonite concentrations are remarkably sensitive to climate, and exhibit millennial-scale oscillations. Extending observations from modern lakes, the Iznik record shows that the aerobic decomposition of organic matter and sulphate reduction are also substantial factors in carbonate preservation over long time periods. Lower lake levels favour aragonite precipitation from supersaturated waters. Prolonged periods of stratification and consequently enhanced sulphate reduction favour aragonite preservation. In contrast, prolonged or repeated exposure of the sediment-water interface to oxygen results in in situ aerobic organic matter decomposition, eventually leading to carbonate dissolution. Notably, the Iznik sediment profile raises the hypothesis that different states of lacustrine mixing lead to selective preservation of different carbonate polymorphs. Thus, a change in the entire lake water chemistry is not strictly necessary to favour the preservation of one polymorph over another.

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.