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Use of Proxies in Paleoceanography

Examples from the South Atlantic

  • Book
  • © 1999

Overview

Editors:
  1. Gerhard Fischer

    1. Fachbereich Geowissenschaften, Universität Bremen, Bremen, Germany

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  2. Gerold Wefer

    1. Fachbereich Geowissenschaften, Universität Bremen, Bremen, Germany

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    You can also search for this editor in PubMed   Google Scholar

  • Compilation of most important palaeoceanographic data Combination of palaeoceanographic and palaeoclimatological results
  • Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

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Table of contents (29 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages I-X
    Download chapter PDF

  2. Introduction

    1. Clues to Ocean History: a Brief Overview of Proxies

      • G. Wefer, W. H. Berger, J. Bijma, G. Fischer
      Pages 1-68

  3. Surface Water Circulation

    1. Temperature

      1. Sea-Surface Temperature Estimations Using a Modern Analog Technique with Foraminiferal Assemblages from Western Atlantic Quaternary Sediments
        • W. Hale, U. Pflaumann
        Pages 69-90
      2. The Distribution of Living Planktic Foraminifera in Relation to Southeast Atlantic Oceanography
        • S. Kemle-von Mücke, H. Oberhänsli
        Pages 91-115
      3. Coccolithophores as Indicators of Ocean Water Masses, Surface-Water Temperature, and Paleoproductivity — Examples from the South Atlantic
        • K.-H. Baumann, M. Čepek, H. Kinkel
        Pages 117-144
      4. Calcareous Dinoflagellate Cysts as Paleo-Environmental Tools
        • K. A. F. Zonneveld, C. Höll, D. Janofske, B. Karwath, B. Kerntopf, C. Rühlemann et al.
        Pages 145-164
      5. Oxygen Isotope Values of Planktic Foraminifera: A Tool for the Reconstruction of Surface Water Stratification
        • H.-S. Niebler, H.-W. Hubberten, R. Gersonde
        Pages 165-189
      6. Stable Isotopes of Pteropod Shells as Recorders of Sub-Surface Water Conditions: Comparison to the Record of <i>G. ruber</i> and to Measured Values
        • G. Fischer, M. Kalberer, B. Donner, G. Wefer
        Pages 191-206

    2. Salinity

      1. On the Reconstruction of Paleosalinities
        • T. Wolff, B. Grieger, W. Hale, A. Dürkoop, S. Mulitza, J. Pätzold et al.
        Pages 207-228

  4. Bottom- and Deep Water Circulation

    1. Stable Carbon Isotopes in Benthic Foraminifera: Proxies for Deep and Bottom Water Circulation and New Production

      • A. Mackensen, T. Bickert
      Pages 229-254

    2. Carbonate Dissolution in the Deep-Sea: Methods, Quantification and Paleoceanographic Application

      • N. Dittert, K.-H. Baumann, T. Bickert, R. Henrich, R. Huber, H. Kinkel et al.
      Pages 255-284

    3. Kaolinite and Chlorite as Tracers of Modern and Late Quaternary Deep Water Circulation in the South Atlantic and the Adjoining Southern Ocean

      • B. Diekmann, G. Kuhn, A. Mackensen, R. Petschick, D. K. Fütterer, R. Gersonde et al.
      Pages 285-313

  5. Paleoproductivity and Nutrients

    1. Organic Carbon and Carbonate as Paleoproductivity Proxies: Examples from High and Low Productivity Areas of the Tropical Atlantic

      • C. Rühlemann, P. J. Müller, R. R. Schneider
      Pages 315-344

    2. Biogenic Barium as a Proxy for Paleoproductivity: Methods and Limitations of Application

      • F. X. Gingele, M. Zabel, S. Kasten, W. J. Bonn, C. C. Nürnberg
      Pages 345-364

    3. Variability in Export Production Documented by Downward Fluxes and Species Composition of Marine Planktic Diatoms: Observations from the Tropical and Equatorial Atlantic

      • O. E. Romero, C. B. Lange, G. Fischer, U. F. Treppke, G. Wefer
      Pages 365-392

    4. Reliability of the 231Pa /230Th Activity Ratio as a Tracer for Bioproductivity of the Ocean

      • H.-J. Walter, M. M. Rutgers van der Loeff, R. François
      Pages 393-408

    5. Sediment Redistribution, 230Thex- Normalization and Implications for the Reconstruction of Particle Flux and Export Paleoproductivity

      • M. Frank, R. Gersonde, A. Mangini
      Pages 409-426

    6. The South Atlantic Carbon Isotope Record of Planktic Foraminifera

      • S. Mulitza, H. Arz, S. Kemle-von Mücke, C. Moos, H.-S. Niebler, J. Pätzold et al.
      Pages 427-445

    7. Reconstruction of Surface Ocean Nitrate Utilization Using Stable Nitrogen Isotopes in Sinking Particles and Sediments

      • M. E. Holmes, C. Eichner, U. Struck, G. Wefer
      Pages 447-468

  6. CO2 in Oceans and Atmosphere

    1. Alkenone δ13C as a Proxy for PastPCO2 in Surface Waters: Results from the Late Quaternary Angola Current

      • N. Andersen, P. J. Müller, G. Kirst, R. R. Schneider
      Pages 469-488
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Keywords

About this book

Paleoceanographic proxies provide infonnation for reconstructions of the past, including climate changes, global and regional oceanography, and the cycles of biochemical components in the ocean. These prox­ ies are measurable descriptors for desired but unobservable environmental variables such as tempera­ ture, salinity, primary productivity, nutrient content, or surface-water carbon dioxide concentrations. The proxies are employed in a manner analogous to oceanographic methods. The water masses are first characterized according to their specific physical and chemical properties, and then related to particular assemblages of certain organisms or to particular element or isotope distributions. We have a long-standing series of proven proxies available. Marine microfossil assemblages, for instance, are employed to reconstruct surface-water temperatures. The calcareous shells of planktonic and benthic microorgan­ isms contain a wealth of paleoceanographic information in their isotopic and elemental compositions. Stable oxygen isotope measurements are used to detennine ice volume, and MglCa ratios are related to water temperatures, to cite a few examples. Organic material may also provide valuable infonnation, e. g. , about past productivity conditions. Studying the stable carbon isotope composition of bulk organic matter or individual marine organic components may provide a measure of past surface-water CO 2 conditions within the bounds of certain assumptions. Within the scope of paleoceanographic investigations, the existing proxies are continuously evolving and improving, while new proxies are being studied and developed. The methodology is improved by analysis of samples from the water column and surface sediments, and through laboratory experiments.

Editors and Affiliations

  • Fachbereich Geowissenschaften, Universität Bremen, Bremen, Germany

    Gerhard Fischer, Gerold Wefer

Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: Use of Proxies in Paleoceanography

  • Book Subtitle: Examples from the South Atlantic

  • Editors: Gerhard Fischer, Gerold Wefer

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-58646-0

  • Publisher: Springer Berlin, Heidelberg

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

  • Copyright Information: Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 1999

  • Hardcover ISBN: 978-3-540-66340-9Published: 02 November 1999

  • Softcover ISBN: 978-3-642-63681-3Published: 23 October 2012

  • eBook ISBN: 978-3-642-58646-0Published: 06 December 2012

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: X, 735

  • Number of Illustrations: 319 b/w illustrations, 20 illustrations in colour

  • Topics: Oceanography, Geochemistry

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