Distribution of benthic foraminifera in surface sediments of the Portuguese continental margin

Living and dead benthic Foraminifera of 26 sediment surface samples from the East Atlantic continental margin (off Portugal) are studied. The stations are located on two profiles off Cape Mondego and off Cape Sines, ranging in water depth from 45 to 3905 meters. The highest values of standing crop are on the shelf (200 m) (up to 420 specimens/10 cm**3). Below 1000 m water depth standing crop is low (5 -24 specimens/10 cm**3). 151species and species groups are distinguished. Most of the living species do occur in a wide depth range. Faunal depth boundaries are at 50/100m, at 600/800 m, and at 1000 m. Results published from the North Atlantic and the East Mediterranean do not differ from those obtained in samples off Portugal. Depth of water (e.g. hydrostatic pressure) or another factor being controlled by depth (e.g. limitation of food supply) seems to be the most important factor of the benthic foraminiferal distribution.

Sedimentological and paleomagnetic investigations on two gravity cores and ODP sites 113-690 and 693 off Kapp Norvegia, Antarctic continental margin

Oligocene to Quaternary sediments were recovered from the Antarctic continental margin in the eastern Weddell Sea during ODP Leg 113 and Polarstern expedition ANT-VI. Clay mineral composition and grain size distribution patterns are useful for distinguishing sediments that have been transported by ocean currents from those that were ice-rafted. This, in turn, has assisted in providing insights about the changing late Paleogene to Neogene sedimentary environment as the cryosphere developed in Antarctica. During the middle Oligocene, increasing glacial conditions on the continent are indicated by the presence of glauconite sands, that are interpreted to have formed on the shelf and then transported down the continental slope by advancing glaciers or as a result of sea-level lowering. The dominance of illite and a relatively high content of chlorite suggest predominantly physical weathering conditions on the continent. The high content of biogenic opal from the late Miocene to the late Pliocene resulted from increased upwelling processes at the continental margin due to increased wind strength related to global cooling. Partial melting of the ice-sheet occurred during an early Pliocene climate optimum as is shown by an increasing supply of predominantly current-derived sediment with a low mean grain size and peak values of smectite. Primary productivity decreased at ~ 3 Ma due to the development of a permanent sea-ice cover close to the continent. Late Pleistocene sediments are characterized by planktonic foraminifers and biogenic opal, concentrated in distinct horizons reflecting climatic cycles. Isotopic analysis of AT. pachyderma produced a stratigraphy which resulted in a calculated sedimentation rate of 1 cm/k.y. during the Pleistocene. Primary productivity was highest during the last three interglacial maxima and decreased during glacial episodes as a result of increasing sea-ice coverage.

Marine ice-rafted debris records and age determinations along the northern Eurasian margin

Ice-rafted debris (IRD) (>2 mm), input in eight sediment cores along the Eurasian continental margin (Arctic Ocean), have been studied over the last two glacial/interglacial cycles. Together with the revised chronologies and new micropaleontological data of two cores from the northern Barents Sea (PS2138) and northeastern Kara Sea (PS2741) spanning Marine Isotope Stages (MIS) 6 to 1, the IRD data give new insights into the glacial history of northern Eurasian ice-sheets over the last 150 ka. The chronologies of the cores are based on stable isotope records, AMS 14C datings, paleomagnetic and biostratigraphic data. Extensive episodes of northern Barents Sea ice-sheet growth, probably to the shelf edge, occurred during the late Weichselian (MIS 2) and the Saalian (MIS 6). Major IRD discharge at the MIS 4/3-transition hints to another severe glaciation, probably onto the outer shelf, during MIS 4. IRD-based instabilities of the marine-based ice margin along the northern Barents Sea between MIS 4 and 2 are similar in timing with North Atlantic Heinrich events and Nordic Seas IRD events, suggesting similar atmospheric cooling over a broad region or linkage of ice-sheet fluctuations through small sea-level events. In the relatively low-precipitation areas of eastern Eurasia, IRD peak values during Termination II and MIS 4/3-transition suggest a Kara Sea ice-sheet advance onto the outer shelf, probably to the shelf edge, during glacial MIS 6 and 4. This suggests that during the initial cooling following the interglacials MIS 5, and possibly MIS 7, the combined effect of sustained inflow of Atlantic water into the Arctic Ocean and penetration of moisture-bearing cyclones into easterly direction supported major ice build-up during Saalian (MIS 6) and Mid-Weichselian (MIS 4) glaciation. IRD peak values in MIS 5 indicate at least two advances of the Severnaya Semlya ice-sheet to the coast line during the Early Weichselian. In contrast, a distinct Kara Sea ice advance during the Late Weichselian (MIS 2) is not documented by the IRD records along the northeastern Kara Sea margin.

Organic matter deposition along the Kara and Laptev Seas continental margin (eastern Arctic Ocean) during last deglaciation and Holocene

Organic petrologic (maceral analysis) and bulk organic-geochemical studies were performed on five sediment cores from the Eurasian continental margin to reconstruct the environmental changes during the last not, vert, similar13 000 yr. The core stratigraphy is based on AMS-14C dating, and correlation by magnetic susceptibility and lithostratigraphic characteristics. Variations in terrigenous, freshwater, and marine organic matter deposition document paleoceanographic and paleoclimatic changes during the transition from the last deglaciation to the Holocene. Glacigenic diamictons deposited in the St. Anna Trough (northern Kara Sea) during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) are characterized by reworked terrigenous organic matter. In contrast, the Laptev Sea shelf was not covered by an ice-sheet, but was exposed by the lowered sea level. Increased deposition of marine organic matter (MOM) during deglaciation indicates enhanced surface-water productivity, possibly related to influence of Atlantic waters. The occurrence of freshwater alginite gives evidence for river discharge to the Kara and Laptev Seas after the LGM. At the eastern Laptev Sea slope, the first influence of Atlantic water masses is indicated by an increase in the contents of MOM and dinoflagellate cysts, with Operculodinium centrocarpum prior to not, vert, similar10 000 yr BP. High sedimentation rates in the Kara and the Laptev Seas with the adjacent slope at the beginning of the Holocene are presumably related to increased freshwater and sediment discharge from the Siberian rivers. Evidence for elevated Holocene freshwater discharge to the Laptev Sea has been found between not, vert, similar9.8 and 9 kyr BP, at not, vert, similar5 kyr BP and at not, vert, similar2.5 kyr BP. In the Kara Sea, an increased freshwater signal is obvious at not, vert, similar8.5 kyr BP and at not, vert, similar5 kyr BP. Higher portions of MOM were accumulated in the St. Anna Trough and at the Eurasian continental margin at several intervals during the Holocene. Increased primary productivity during these intervals is explained by seasonally ice-free conditions possibly associated with increased inflow of Atlantic waters.

Geochemistry and age models of sediments from the Celtic margin

The sedimentary sections of three cores from the Celtic margin provide high-resolution records of the terrigenous fluxes during the last glacial cycle. A total of 21 14C AMS dates allow us to define age models with a resolution better than 100 yr during critical periods such as Heinrich events 1 and 2. Maximum sedimentary fluxes occurred at the Meriadzek Terrace site during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). Detailed X-ray imagery of core MD95-2002 from the Meriadzek Terrace shows no sedimentary structures suggestive of either deposition from high-density turbidity currents or significant erosion. Two paroxysmal terrigenous flux episodes have been identified. The first occurred after the deposition of Heinrich event 2 Canadian ice-rafted debris (IRD) and includes IRD from European sources. We suggest that the second represents an episode of deposition from turbid plumes, which precedes IRD deposition associated with Heinrich event 1. At the end of marine isotopic stage 2 (MIS 2) and the beginning of MIS 1 the highest fluxes are recorded on the Whittard Ridge where they correspond to deposition from turbidity current overflows. Canadian icebergs have rafted debris at the Celtic margin during Heinrich events 1, 2, 4 and 5. The high-resolution records of Heinrich events 1 and 2 show that in both cases the arrival of the Canadian icebergs was preceded by a European ice rafting precursor event, which took place about 1-1.5 kyr before. Two rafting episodes of European IRD also occurred immediately after Heinrich event 2 and just before Heinrich event 1. The terrigenous fluxes recorded in core MD95-2002 during the LGM are the highest reported at hemipelagic sites from the northwestern European margin. The magnitude of the Canadian IRD fluxes at Meriadzek Terrace is similar to those from oceanic sites.

Nd, Sr and Pb isotopes and clay minerals in sediment cores from the Gulf of Cadiz and the Portuguese margin

The assemblages of marine sediments on the SW Iberian shelf have been controlled by contributions from distinct sources, which have varied in response to environmental changes since the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). The rapid, decadal scale Mediterranean overturning circulation permits mixing of suspended particles from the entire Mediterranean Sea. They are entrained into the suspended particulate matter (SPM) carried by Mediterranean Outflow Water (MOW), which enters the eastern North Atlantic through the Strait of Gibraltar and spreads at intermediate depths in the Gulf of Cadiz and along the Portuguese continental margin. Other major sediment sources that have contributed to the characteristics and budget of SPM along the flow path of MOW on the SW Iberian shelf are North African dust and river-transported particles from the Iberian Peninsula. To reconstruct climate- and circulation-driven changes in the supply of sediments over the past ~23000 cal yr B.P., radiogenic Nd, Sr and Pb isotope records of the clay-size sediment fraction were obtained from one gravity core in the Gulf of Cadiz (577 m water depth) and from two gravity cores on the Portuguese shelf (1745 m, 1974 m water depth). These records are supplemented by time series analyses of clay mineral abundances from the same set of samples. Contrary to expectations, the transition from the LGM to the Holocene was not accompanied by strong changes in sediment provenance or transport, whereas Heinrich Event 1 (H1) and the African Humid Period (AHP) were marked by significantly different isotopic signatures reflecting changes in source contributions caused by supply of ice rafted material originating from the North American craton during H1 and diminished supply of Saharan dust during the AHP. The data also reveal that the timing of variations in the clay mineral abundances was decoupled from that of the radiogenic isotope signatures.

Heavy mineral investigations from surface sediments of the East Greenland continental margin

During the expeditions ARK-VII/1, ARK-VII/3 and ARK-Xl2 sediment cores were taken by "RV Polarstern" from the shelf and the fjords of East Greenland and the Greenland Sea. The magnetic susceptibility and heavy mineral were determined at 48 surface sediment samples from undisturbed box cores. The main objective of this study was the identification of source areas and transport processes of terrigenous sediments at the East Greenland continental margin. The results can be summarized as lollows: 1a) Magnetic susceptibility in the North Atlantic is useful to detect delivery regions of the material transported by currents. b) The magnetic susceptibility is controlled by the ferromagnetic particles of the silt fraction. c) There are four important source areas: . The ferromagnetic particles of the box core PS2644-2 are transported from the Iceland Archipelago. . The material from the Geiki-Plateau effects the magnetic susceptibility in the Scoresby Sund Basin. . The magnetic susceptibility in the shelf regions in the North are produced by material from the fjords. . The ferromagnetic particles in the Greenland Sea are derived from the Mid Atlantic Ridges in the east. d) It is possible to determine the rock type, which delivers the ferromagnetic material because of differences in magnetic susceptibility of different intensity. . The erosion of the basalts of the Geiki-Plateau and the basalts of the Mid Atlantic ridges produce the high magnetic susceptibility in the south. . The magnetic susceptibility on the shelf in the north are probably produced by erosionproducts of the gneises of East Greenland. (2a) Heavy mineral assemblages show a significant difference between material transported by the Transpolar Drift from the Eurasian shelf regions (amphiboles, clinopyroxene, orthopyroxene) and material derived from East Greenland (garnets and opaque minerals). Transport via ice is dominant. b) lt is also possible to show different petrographic provenances (volcanic and metamorphic provenances). These associations verify the source areas. c) The information of heavy mineral composition gives no more detailed hint on the rock type or rock formation in the source area, due to mixing processes, large area of investigation and the sample quantity.

Documentation and sedimentology of core PS1021-1 from the Antarctic continental margin off Kap Norvegia

Sedimentological analyses concerning ice rafted debris, grain size distribution, biogenous components, and clay mineral composition of four sediment cores from the Antarctic continental margin off Kapp Norvegia reveal a cyclical pattern of three different sediment facies. These are classified into warm and cold types representing warm and cold climatic periods and a short transition period from cold to warm events. The sedimentological parameters reflect the variations within the cryosphere and the hydrosphere, which are directly influenced by the climatic fluctuations. The unusually high content of carbonaceous planktonic and benthonic foraminifera in these polar sediments, as well as the interfingering of terrigeneous and biogeneous-rich sediments with increasing distance from the continent, might reflect the influence of the Weddell Sea Polynya and the oscillations of polynya, pack-ice and ice shelf extent during the late Pleistocene.

X-ray diffraction analysis, binocular component analysis and radiocarbon dating of sediment cores from the NW Iberian shelf system

Based on a well-established stratigraphic framework and 47 AMS-14C dated sediment cores, the distribution of facies types on the NW Iberian margin is analysed in response to the last deglacial sea-level rise, thus providing a case study on the sedimentary evolution of a high-energy, low-accumulation shelf system. Altogether, four main types of sedimentary facies are defined. (1) A gravel-dominated facies occurs mostly as time-transgressive ravinement beds, which initially developed as shoreface and storm deposits in shallow waters on the outer shelf during the last sea-level lowstand; (2) A widespread, time-transgressive mixed siliceous/biogenic-carbonaceous sand facies indicates areas of moderate hydrodynamic regimes, high contribution of reworked shelf material, and fluvial supply to the shelf; (3) A glaucony-containing sand facies in a stationary position on the outer shelf formed mostly during the last-glacial sea-level rise by reworking of older deposits as well as authigenic mineral formation; and (4) A mud facies is mostly restricted to confined Holocene fine-grained depocentres, which are located in mid-shelf position. The observed spatial and temporal distribution of these facies types on the high-energy, low-accumulation NW Iberian shelf was essentially controlled by the local interplay of sediment supply, shelf morphology, and strength of the hydrodynamic system. These patterns are in contrast to high-accumulation systems where extensive sediment supply is the dominant factor on the facies distribution. This study emphasises the importance of large-scale erosion and material recycling on the sedimentary buildup during the deglacial drowning of the shelf. The presence of a homogenous and up to 15-m thick transgressive cover above a lag horizon contradicts the common assumption of sparse and laterally confined sediment accumulation on high-energy shelf systems during deglacial sea-level rise. In contrast to this extensive sand cover, laterally very confined and maximal 4-m thin mud depocentres developed during the Holocene sea-level highstand. This restricted formation of fine-grained depocentres was related to the combination of: (1) frequently occurring high-energy hydrodynamic conditions; (2) low overall terrigenous input by the adjacent rivers; and (3) the large distance of the Galicia Mud Belt to its main sediment supplier.

Benthic foraminiferal abundances from eight sites of the Northwest Australian shelf

Foraminiferal analysis of Miocene to recent strata of the Northwest Shelf of Australia is used to chart West Pacific Warm Pool (WPWP) influence. The assemblage is typified by "larger" foraminifera with ingressions of the Indo-Pacific "smaller" taxa Asterorotalia and Pseudorotalia at around 4 Ma and from 1.6 to 0.8 Ma. A review of recent and fossil biogeography of these taxa suggests their stratigraphic distribution can be used to document WPWP evolution. From 10 to 4.4 Ma a lack of biogeographic connectivity between the Pacific and Indian Ocean suggests Indonesian Throughflow (ITF) restriction. During this period, the collision of Australia and Asia trapped warmer waters in the Pacific, creating a central WPWP biogeographic province from the equator to 26°N. By 3 Ma Indo-Pacific species migrated to Japan with the initiation of the "modern" Kuroshio Current coinciding with the intensification of the North Pacific Gyre and Northern Hemisphere ice sheet expansion. Indo-Pacific taxa migrated to the northwest Australia from 4.4 to 4 Ma possibly because of limited ITF. The absence of Indo-Pacific taxa in northwest Australia indicates possible ITF restriction from 4 to 1.6 Ma. Full northwest Australian biogeographic connectivity with the WPWP from 1.6 to 0.8 Ma suggests an unrestricted stronger ITF (compared to today) and the initiation of the modern Leeuwin Current. The extinction of some Indo-Pacific species in northwest Australia after 0.8 Ma may be related to the effects of large glacial/interglacial oscillations and uplift of the Indonesian Archipelago causing Indonesian seaway restriction.

Compilation of organic carbon distribution and sedimentology in the surface sediments on the continental margin offshore southwestern Africa

In this study we demonstrate the relevance of lateral particle transport in nepheloid layers for organic carbon (OC) accumulation and burial across high-productive continental margins. We present geochemical data from surface sediments and suspended particles in the bottom nepheloid layer (BNL) from the most productive coastal upwelling area of the modern ocean, the Benguela upwelling system offshore southwest Africa. Interpretation of depositional patterns and comparison of downslope trends in OC content, organic matter composition, and 14C age between suspended particles and surface sediments indicate that lateral particle transport is the primary mechanism controlling supply and burial of OC. We propose that effective seaward particle transport primarily along the BNL is a key process that promotes and maintains local high sedimentation rates, ultimately causing high preservation of OC in a depocenter on the upper slope offshore Namibia. As lateral transport efficiently displaces areas of enhanced OC burial from maximum production at highly productive continental margins, vertical particle flux models do not sufficiently explain the relationship between primary production and shallow-marine OC burial. On geologic time scales, the widest distribution and strongest intensity of lateral particle transport is expected during periods of rapid sea-level change. At times in the geologic past, widespread downslope lateral transport of OC thus may have been a primary driver of enhanced OC burial at deeper continental slopes and abyssal basins.

Pre-glacial to glacial sediment thickness grids for the Southern Pacific Margin of West Antarctica, NetCDF files

Circum-Antarctic sediment thickness grids provide constraints for basin evolution and paleotopographic reconstructions, which are important for paleo-ice sheet formation histories. By compiling old and new seismic data, we identify sequences representing pre-glacial, transitional and full glacial deposition processes along the Pacific margin of West Antarctica. The pre-glacial sediment grid depicts 1.3 to 4.0 km thick depocenters, relatively evenly distributed along the margin. The depocenters change markedly in the transitional phase at, or after, the Eocene/Oligocene boundary, when the first major ice sheets reached the shelf. Full glacial sequences, starting in the middle Miocene, indicate new depocenter formation North of the Amundsen Sea Embayment and localized eastward shifts in the Bellingshausen Sea and Antarctic Peninsula basins. Using present-day drainage paths and source areas on the continent, our calculations indicate an estimated observed total sedimentary volume of ~10 x 10**6 km**3 was eroded from West Antarctica since the separation of New Zealand in the Late Cretaceous. Of this 4.9 x 10**6 km**3 predates the onset of glaciation and need to be considered for a paleotopography reconstruction of 34 Ma. Whereas 5.1 x 10**6 km**3 postdate the onset of glaciation, of which 2.5 x 10**6 km**3 were deposited in post mid-Miocene full glacial conditions.

Long chain diols and diol indices of surface sediments of the Iberian Atlantic margin

Long chain diols are lipids that have gained interest over the last years due to their high potential to serve as biomarkers and diol indices have been proposed to reconstruct upwelling conditions and sea surface temperature (SST). However, little is known about the sources of the diols and the mechanisms impacting their distribution. Here we studied the factors controlling diol distributions in the Iberian Atlantic margin, which is characterized by a dynamic continental shelf under the influence of upwelling of nutrient-rich cold deep waters, and fluvial input. We analyzed suspended particulate matter (SPM) of the Tagus river, marine SPM and marine surface sediments along five transects off the Iberian margin, as well as riverbank sediments and soil from the catchment area of the Tagus river. Relatively high fractional abundances of the C32 1,15-diol (normalized with respect to the 1,13- and 1,15-diols) were observed in surface sediments in front of major river mouths and this abundance correlates strongly with the BIT index, a tracer for continental input of organic carbon. Together with an even higher fractional abundance of the C32 1,15-diol in the Tagus river SPM, and the absence of long chain diols in the watershed riverbank sediments and soils, we suggest that this long chain diol is produced in-situ in the river. Further support for this hypothesis comes from the small but distinct stable carbon isotopic difference of 1.3? with the marine C28 1,13-diol. The 1,14-diols are relatively abundant in surface sediments directly along the northern part of the coast, close to the upwelling zone, suggesting that Diol Indices based on 1,14-diols would work well as upwelling tracers in this region. Strikingly, we observed a significant difference in stable carbon isotopic composition between the monounsaturated C30:1 1,14- and the saturated C28 1,14-diol (3.8±0.7 per mil), suggesting different sources, in accordance with their different distributions. In addition, the Long chain Diol Index (LDI), a proxy for sea surface temperature, was applied for the surface sediments. The results correlate well with satellite SSTs offshore but reveal a significant discrepancy with satellite-derived SSTs in front of the Tagus and Sado rivers. This suggests that river outflow might compromise the applicability of this proxy.

Organic carbon isotope ratios of sea surface sediments and sea-ice from the Amerasian Continental shelf

Organic matter origins are inferred from carbon isotope ratios (delta13C) in recent continental shelf sediments and major rivers from 465 locations from the north Bering-Chukchi-East Siberian-Beaufort Sea, Arctic Amerasia. Generally, there is a cross-shelf increase in delta13C, which is due to progressive increased contribution seaward of marine-derived organic carbon to surface sediments. This conclusion is supported by the correlations between sediment delta13C, OC/N, and delta15N. The sources of total organic carbon (TOC) to the Amerasian margin sediments are primarily from marine water-column phytoplankton and terrigenous C3 plants constituted of tundra taiga and angiosperms. In contrast to more temperate regions, the source of TOC from terrigenous C4 and CAM plants to the study area is probably insignificant because these plants do not exist in the northern high latitudes. The input of carbon to the northern Alaskan shelf sediments from nearshore kelp community (Laminaria solidungula) is generally insignificant as indicated by the absence of high sediment delta13C values (-16.5 to -13.6 per mil) which are typical of the macrophytes. Our study suggests that the isotopic composition of sediment TOC has potential application in reconstructing temporal changes in delivery and accumulation of organic matter resulting from glacial-interglacial changes in sea level and environments. Furthermore, recycling and advection of the extensive deposits of terrestrially derived organic matter from land, or the wide Amerasian margin, could be a mechanism for elevating total CO2 and pCO2 in the Arctic Basin halocline.

Variability of marine climate on the North Icelandic Shelf in a 1357-year proxy archive based on growth increments in the bivalve Arctica islandica

A multicentennial and absolutely-dated shell-based chronology for the marine environment of the North Icelandic Shelf has been constructed using annual growth increments in the shell of the long-lived bivalve clam Arctica islandica. The region from which the shells were collected is close to the North Atlantic Polar Front and is highly sensitive to the varying influences of Atlantic and Arctic water masses. A strong common environmental signal is apparent in the increment widths, and although the correlations between the growth increment indices and regional sea surface temperatures are significant at the 95% confidence level, they are low (r ~ 0.2), indicating that a more complex combination of environmental forcings is driving growth. Remarkable longevities of individual animals are apparent in the increment-width series used in the chronology, with several animals having lifetimes in excess of 300 years and one, at 507 years, being the longest-lived non-colonial animal so far reported whose age at death can be accurately determined. The sample depth is at least three shells after AD 1175, and the time series has been extended back to AD 649 with a sample depth of one or two by the addition of two further series, thus providing a 1357-year archive of dated shell material. The statistical and spectral characteristics of the chronology are investigated by using two different methods of removing the age-related trend in shell growth. Comparison with other proxy archives from the same region reveals several similarities in variability on multidecadal timescales, particularly during the period surrounding the transition from the Medieval Climate Anomaly to the Little Ice Age.