nerc.ac.uk

Insight into the Latest Messinian (5.7-5.2 Ma) paleoclimatic events from two deep-sea Atlantic Ocean ODP sites

Vautravers, Maryline J.. 2014 Insight into the Latest Messinian (5.7-5.2 Ma) paleoclimatic events from two deep-sea Atlantic Ocean ODP sites. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 407. 14-24. 10.1016/j.palaeo.2014.03.039

Before downloading, please read NORA policies.
[thumbnail of This article has been accepted for publication and will appear in a revised form in Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, published by Elsevier. Copyright Elsevier.]
Preview
Text (This article has been accepted for publication and will appear in a revised form in Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, published by Elsevier. Copyright Elsevier.)
1-s2.0-S0031018214001746-main.pdf - Accepted Version

Download (518kB) | Preview

Abstract/Summary

The results of a multi-proxy study, including quantitative planktonic foraminifera faunal analysis, geochemistry of foraminifera tests, and lithogenic counts (IRD) are presented for two open marine sites. The sites are located in the eastern South Atlantic (ODP Leg 177 Site 1088) and the western tropical North Atlantic (ODP Leg 154 Site 925). Both sedimentary records span the interval 5.7-5.2 Ma (i.e. late Miocene to early Pliocene), which encompasses the time of deposition of the upper evaporites (UE) in the Mediterranean basin. The observations confirm a major oceanographic and climatologic event occurred during the Messinian at the transition between the glacial TG12 and the prominent TG11 warm interglacial at 5.5 Ma. However, some oceanographic changes also occurred at the Miocene-Pliocene (M-P) transition in the northern tropical Atlantic and in the Southern Ocean with the first input of IRD at ODP Site 1088. In contrast to the termination across the lower evaporites (LE) at 5.5 Ma, the M-P transition may not have involved a large change in ice volume. The potential causes behind the data across the major climatic transient are examined in the light of published information, including evidence from polar areas with focus on the climatic impact of fluctuating meridional oceanic circulation (MOC). A thermal seesaw mechanism in pre-Quaternary times is hypothesised as part of the large late Messinian deglaciation across the TG12-TG11 transition. An implication of the major Southern Atlantic warming before 5.5 Ma is that an abrupt event freshening the surface of the North Atlantic might be present in the sub-polar Northern Hemisphere, but this has yet to be verified. This deglaciation may have been reinforced by a freshening of the North Atlantic as a result of discontinuous connection of the Mediterranean Sea.

Item Type: Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI): 10.1016/j.palaeo.2014.03.039
Programmes: BAS Programmes > Global Science in the Antarctic Context (2005-2009) > Greenhouse to Icehouse. Evolution of the Antarctic Cryosphere and Palaeoenvironment
ISSN: 00310182
Additional Keywords: Late Messinian; Planktonic Foraminifera; Climatic Seesaw; Deglaciation; Mio-Pliocene Transition
Date made live: 10 Apr 2014 14:18 +0 (UTC)
URI: https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/506991

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item

Document Downloads

Downloads for past 30 days

Downloads per month over past year

More statistics for this item...