Atlantic core-top calibration of the U{sup K}{sub 37} index as a sea-surface palaeotemperature indicator

Journal Article · Tue Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1995 · Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-7037(95)00199-A· OSTI ID:102902

Rosell-Mele, A; Eglinton, G ^[1]; Pflaumann, U ^[2]

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1. Univ. of Bristol (United Kingdom)
2. Univ. of Kiel (Germany); and others

A field calibration of the U{sup K}{sub 37} index with sea surface temperature is discussed, through analysis of an extensive suite of surface sediments (n = 109) from the northeastern Atlantic (2{degrees}S-75{degrees}N). Values of U{sup K}{sub 37} are compared with sea surface temperatures for overlying waters measured at different depths and seasons, to obtain a correlation suitable for paleotemperature reconstructions. The best fit is obtained using surface (0 m) temperatures corresponding to caloric winter and autumn months. However, the annual average, spring and summer surface temperature equations also have high correlation coefficients, and are also appropriate for climatic studies. The results further validate the general applicability of the U{sup K}{sub 37} as a climatic proxy, because the climatic proxy, because the calibration equations are valid over a wide range of surface water temperatures (0-28{degrees}C) for different algal populations and are representative of the average contribution of alkenones to sediments, as found in sediment cores.

• OSTI ID: 102902
• Journal Information: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, Journal Name: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta Journal Issue: 15 Vol. 59; ISSN GCACAK; ISSN 0016-7037
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
58 GEOSCIENCES
ATLANTIC OCEAN
DRILL CORES
FOSSILS
PALEOTEMPERATURE
RADIOECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
SEA BED
SEAWATER
SEDIMENTS
URANIUM ISOTOPES