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Water column dynamics during the last interglacial anoxic event in the Mediterranean (sapropel S5)

Water column dynamics during the last interglacial anoxic event in the Mediterranean (sapropel S5)
Water column dynamics during the last interglacial anoxic event in the Mediterranean (sapropel S5)
Marine organic-rich sediments are important for long-term carbon sequestration, and as a source of fossil hydrocarbons, but the processes underlying their formation remain elusive. We present a multiproxy analysis of a relatively recent, well-preserved Mediterranean organic-rich deposit known as sapropel S5, which formed 124–119 thousand years ago (ka B.P., where B.P. references year 1950). Combining planktonic foraminiferal abundance records with stable isotope and organic biomarker data, we reconcile the apparently contradicting coexistence of deep-dwelling foraminiferal faunas with green sulphur bacteria that indicate photic zone euxinia. S5 started with a rapid freshwater-induced increase of density stratification that inhibited vertical mixing and deepwater ventilation. Through the first 900 years, anoxic to euxinic deepwater conditions developed and extended up to roughly 200 m water depth. Then followed a 4100-year period of variability in the depth/intensity of winter mixing with a roughly 1400-year periodicity, coincident with fluctuations in water column stability. S5 terminated with a marked decrease in density stratification and consequently renewed convective overturn.
0883-8305
PA2018
Rohling, E.J.
a2a27ef2-fcce-4c71-907b-e692b5ecc685
Hopmans, E.C.
9dcb93c8-4ca7-4ab5-84a6-ba784ca14e2f
Sinninghe-Damste, J.S.
7374aa82-c2ed-4e5e-b986-a764e1f20651
Rohling, E.J.
a2a27ef2-fcce-4c71-907b-e692b5ecc685
Hopmans, E.C.
9dcb93c8-4ca7-4ab5-84a6-ba784ca14e2f
Sinninghe-Damste, J.S.
7374aa82-c2ed-4e5e-b986-a764e1f20651

Rohling, E.J., Hopmans, E.C. and Sinninghe-Damste, J.S. (2006) Water column dynamics during the last interglacial anoxic event in the Mediterranean (sapropel S5). Paleoceanography, 21, PA2018. (doi:10.1029/2005PA001237).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Marine organic-rich sediments are important for long-term carbon sequestration, and as a source of fossil hydrocarbons, but the processes underlying their formation remain elusive. We present a multiproxy analysis of a relatively recent, well-preserved Mediterranean organic-rich deposit known as sapropel S5, which formed 124–119 thousand years ago (ka B.P., where B.P. references year 1950). Combining planktonic foraminiferal abundance records with stable isotope and organic biomarker data, we reconcile the apparently contradicting coexistence of deep-dwelling foraminiferal faunas with green sulphur bacteria that indicate photic zone euxinia. S5 started with a rapid freshwater-induced increase of density stratification that inhibited vertical mixing and deepwater ventilation. Through the first 900 years, anoxic to euxinic deepwater conditions developed and extended up to roughly 200 m water depth. Then followed a 4100-year period of variability in the depth/intensity of winter mixing with a roughly 1400-year periodicity, coincident with fluctuations in water column stability. S5 terminated with a marked decrease in density stratification and consequently renewed convective overturn.

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Published date: 2006

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Local EPrints ID: 41403
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/41403
ISSN: 0883-8305
PURE UUID: 196849cd-7de4-42fe-9b90-4ca58bb0e091
ORCID for E.J. Rohling: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0001-5349-2158

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Date deposited: 01 Sep 2006
Last modified: 16 Mar 2024 02:46

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Author: E.J. Rohling ORCID iD
Author: E.C. Hopmans
Author: J.S. Sinninghe-Damste

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