Calcite lysocline of the central Arctic Ocean and its paleoclimatic significance

Conference · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1985 · Geol. Soc. Am., Abstr. Programs; (United States)

OSTI ID:6320094

Morris, T H; Clark, D L

Previous reference to the depth of the Arctic Ocean lysocline has been based on comparison with the known North Atlantic CCD. Foraminifera data from cores taken from depths of 2316 to 3956 m provide the first firm lysocline constraints for the Arctic Ocean. This data suggest progressive lowering of the calcite lysocline to at least 4000 m during the past 1.5 my, interrupted by 300 m rises in the lysocline level that apparently correspond with interglacial conditions. Shallow cores indicate variable foraminifera abundance but continual presence of foraminifera for the past 1.5 my. Low abundances are interpreted to represent low productivity combined with increased coarse sediment influx from glacial ice during major deglaciations. Completely barren zones in the cores taken from greater depths are interpreted to indicate carbonate dissolution. These zones are associated with fine grained sediments interpreted to represent interglacial and early glacial isotopic stages. During glacial stages the lysocline was at greater depths. This interpretation of a rise in the lysocline during interglacial stages is in apparent disagreement with interpretations at lower latitudes in the Atlantic Ocean, but apparently is complementary to the recent Broecker et al. hypothesis of North Atlantic deep water formation and Pleistocene climate.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6320094
• Report Number(s): CONF-8510489-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Geol. Soc. Am., Abstr. Programs; (United States) Journal Volume: 17
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

58 GEOSCIENCES
580100* -- Geology & Hydrology-- (-1989)
ALKALINE EARTH METAL COMPOUNDS
ANIMALS
ARCTIC OCEAN
ARCTIC REGIONS
CALCITE
CALCIUM CARBONATES
CALCIUM COMPOUNDS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBONATE MINERALS
CARBONATES
CENOZOIC ERA
CHEMISTRY
CLIMATE MODELS
DRILL CORES
FORAMINIFERA
GEOLOGIC AGES
GLACIERS
ICE
ICE CAPS
INVERTEBRATES
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MICROORGANISMS
MINERALS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PALEOCLIMATOLOGY
PALEONTOLOGY
POLAR REGIONS
PROTOZOA
QUATERNARY PERIOD
ROCKS
SARCODINA
SEAS
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
SEDIMENTS
SURFACE WATERS
VARIATIONS
WATER CHEMISTRY