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Coupled greenhouse warming and deep-sea acidification in the middle Eocene

Coupled greenhouse warming and deep-sea acidification in the middle Eocene
Coupled greenhouse warming and deep-sea acidification in the middle Eocene
The Middle Eocene Climatic Optimum (MECO) is an enigmatic warming event that represents an abrupt reversal in long-term cooling through the Eocene. In order to further assess the timing and nature of this event, we have assembled stable isotope and calcium carbonate concentration records from multiple Deep Sea Drilling Project and Ocean Drilling Program sites for the time interval between ?43 and 38 Ma. Revised stratigraphy at several sites and compilation of ? 18O records place peak warming during the MECO event at 40.0 Ma (Chron C18n.2n). The identification of the ? 18O excursion at sites in different geographic regions indicates that the climatic effects of this event were globally extensive. The total duration of the MECO event is estimated at ?500 ka, with peak warming lasting <100 ka. Assuming minimal glaciation in the late middle Eocene, ?4°–6°C total warming of both surface and deep waters is estimated during the MECO at the study sites. The interval of peak warming at ?40.0 Ma also coincided with a worldwide decline in carbonate accumulation at sites below 3000 m depth, reflecting a temporary shoaling of the calcite compensation depth. The synchroneity of deep-water acidification and globally extensive warming makes a persuasive argument that the MECO event was linked to a transient increase in atmospheric pCO2. The results of this study confirm previous reports of significant climatic instability during the middle Eocene. Furthermore, the direct link between warming and changes in the carbonate chemistry of the deep ocean provides strong evidence that changes in greenhouse gas concentrations exerted a primary control on short-term climate variability during this critical period of Eocene climate evolution.
0883-8305
PA2207
Bohaty, Steven M.
af9dbe78-8b9f-44f2-ba1d-20795837d2d1
Zachos, James C.
c262d59f-aadc-4e09-b844-098db9a0e3c5
Florindo, Fabio
5953170b-79f7-431e-9e08-824a47e0fbd5
Delaney, Margaret L.
05ab5f22-e8f9-4823-840f-71e78bd34f1f
Bohaty, Steven M.
af9dbe78-8b9f-44f2-ba1d-20795837d2d1
Zachos, James C.
c262d59f-aadc-4e09-b844-098db9a0e3c5
Florindo, Fabio
5953170b-79f7-431e-9e08-824a47e0fbd5
Delaney, Margaret L.
05ab5f22-e8f9-4823-840f-71e78bd34f1f

Bohaty, Steven M., Zachos, James C., Florindo, Fabio and Delaney, Margaret L. (2009) Coupled greenhouse warming and deep-sea acidification in the middle Eocene. Paleoceanography, 24 (2), PA2207. (doi:10.1029/2008PA001676).

Record type: Article

Abstract

The Middle Eocene Climatic Optimum (MECO) is an enigmatic warming event that represents an abrupt reversal in long-term cooling through the Eocene. In order to further assess the timing and nature of this event, we have assembled stable isotope and calcium carbonate concentration records from multiple Deep Sea Drilling Project and Ocean Drilling Program sites for the time interval between ?43 and 38 Ma. Revised stratigraphy at several sites and compilation of ? 18O records place peak warming during the MECO event at 40.0 Ma (Chron C18n.2n). The identification of the ? 18O excursion at sites in different geographic regions indicates that the climatic effects of this event were globally extensive. The total duration of the MECO event is estimated at ?500 ka, with peak warming lasting <100 ka. Assuming minimal glaciation in the late middle Eocene, ?4°–6°C total warming of both surface and deep waters is estimated during the MECO at the study sites. The interval of peak warming at ?40.0 Ma also coincided with a worldwide decline in carbonate accumulation at sites below 3000 m depth, reflecting a temporary shoaling of the calcite compensation depth. The synchroneity of deep-water acidification and globally extensive warming makes a persuasive argument that the MECO event was linked to a transient increase in atmospheric pCO2. The results of this study confirm previous reports of significant climatic instability during the middle Eocene. Furthermore, the direct link between warming and changes in the carbonate chemistry of the deep ocean provides strong evidence that changes in greenhouse gas concentrations exerted a primary control on short-term climate variability during this critical period of Eocene climate evolution.

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More information

Published date: 29 May 2009
Additional Information: Actually deposited by J. Conquer
Organisations: Ocean and Earth Science

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 68855
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/68855
ISSN: 0883-8305
PURE UUID: 4b4c4901-dc95-4749-a10e-d1b04b4f9185
ORCID for Steven M. Bohaty: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-1193-7398

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 06 Oct 2009
Last modified: 14 Mar 2024 02:52

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Contributors

Author: James C. Zachos
Author: Fabio Florindo
Author: Margaret L. Delaney

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