Computer Science
Scientific paper
Apr 1997
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1997gecoa..61.1671r&link_type=abstract
Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, Volume 61, Issue 8, p. 1671-1678.
Computer Science
10
Scientific paper
The so-called Heinrich layers, found in North Atlantic sediments, have been attributed to quasi-periodic discharges of armadas of icebergs originating from the Laurentide ice sheet. Using the distribution of biomarkers in a sediment core (BOFS 5K) we have attempted to provide more information about their origin and the effect of the Heinrich events on oceanic circulation and the climatic system. Estimates of sea surface temperature changes, via U37K measurements, show that the surface ocean underwent significant cooling during the events, probably as a result of incoming iceberg meltwater. The low sea temperatures and the rapid variation in the accumulation of chlorophyll-derived pigments suggest that the events provoked a major change in oceanographic conditions, which may have affected the thermohaline circulation in the Atlantic Ocean. Within the most recent layers we have also found vanadyl alkyl porphyrins and aryl isoprenoid hydrocarbons, diagenetic products of photosynthetic pigments (chlorophylls and carotenoids, respectively). These components are not expected to occur in late Quaternary sediments, so their presence demonstrates a contribution to the layers of ancient, organic rich sedimentary material of continental origin. The presence of vanadyl porphyrins and absence of their nickel counterparts, and the distributional features of the aryl isoprenoids (e.g., presence of the C40 reduced carotenoid isorenieratane of green sulphur bacterial origin) indicate the existence of anoxic conditions in the photic zone of a marine water column in the original depositional setting of the contributed ancient sediment. These results suggest that it should be possible, using a biomarker correlation approach, to determine the source area of the ancient sediment eroded by the icebergs.
Maslin Mark A.
Maxwell James R.
Rosell-Melé Antoni
Schaeffer Philippe
No associations
LandOfFree
Biomarker evidence for “Heinrich” events does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Biomarker evidence for “Heinrich” events, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Biomarker evidence for “Heinrich” events will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1317909