Coupled evolution of temperature and carbonate chemistry during the Paleocene–Eocene; new trace element records from the low latitude Indian Ocean
Barnet, JSK; Harper, DT; LeVay, LJ; et al.Edgar, KM; Henehan, MJ; Babila, TL; Ullmann, CV; Leng, MJ; Kroon, D; Zachos, JC; Littler, K
Date: 18 June 2020
Journal
Earth and Planetary Science Letters
Publisher
Elsevier
Publisher DOI
Abstract
The early Paleogene represents the most recent interval in Earth’s history characterized by global
greenhouse warmth on multi-million year timescales, yet our understanding of long-term climate and
carbon cycle evolution in the low latitudes, and in particular the Indian Ocean, remains very poorly
constrained. Here we present the ...
The early Paleogene represents the most recent interval in Earth’s history characterized by global
greenhouse warmth on multi-million year timescales, yet our understanding of long-term climate and
carbon cycle evolution in the low latitudes, and in particular the Indian Ocean, remains very poorly
constrained. Here we present the first long-term sub-eccentricity-resolution stable isotope (δ13 30 C and
δ
18 O) and trace element (Mg/Ca and B/Ca) records spanning the late Paleocene–early Eocene (~58–
53 Ma) across a surface–deep hydrographic reconstruction of the northern Indian Ocean, resolving
late Paleocene 405-kyr paced cyclicity and a portion of the PETM recovery. Our new records reveal a
long-term warming of ~4–5°C at all depths in the water column, with absolute surface ocean
temperatures and magnitudes of warming comparable to the low latitude Pacific. As a result of
warming, we observe a long-term increase in δ
18 Osw of the mixed layer, implying an increase in net
evaporation. We also observe a collapse in the temperature gradient between mixed layer- and
thermocline-dwelling species from ~57–54 Ma, potentially due to either the development of a more
homogeneous water column with a thicker mixed layer, or depth migration of the Morozovella in
response to warming. Synchronous warming at both low and high latitudes, along with decreasing
B/Ca ratios in planktic foraminifera indicating a decrease in ocean pH and/or increasing dissolved
inorganic carbon, suggest that global climate was forced by rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations
during this time.
Camborne School of Mines
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