Silicon Isotopes in an EMIC's Ocean: Sensitivity to Runoff, Iron Supply, and Climate. Issue 10 (13th October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dietze, H.; Löptien, U.; Hordoir, R.; Heinemann, M.; Huiskamp, W.; Schneider, B.
• Is Part Of: Paleoceanography and paleoclimatology. Volume 35:Issue 10(2020)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2020-10-13
• Subjects: Earth System Model -- silicon isotopes -- Last Glacial Maximum -- biogeochemical modeling -- ocean -- sediment; Paleoceanography -- Periodicals; Paleoclimatology -- Periodicals; 551.46
• DOI: 10.1029/2020PA003960
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2572-4517

Abstract

Abstract: The isotopic composition of Si in biogenic silica (BSi), such as opal buried in the oceans' sediments, has changed over time. Paleorecords suggest that the isotopic composition, described in terms of δ 30 Si, was generally much lower during glacial times than today. There is consensus that this variability is attributable to differing environmental conditions at the respective time of BSi production and sedimentation. The detailed links between environmental conditions and the isotopic composition of BSi in the sediments remain, however, poorly constrained. In this study, we explore the effects of a suite of offset boundary conditions during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) on the isotopic composition of BSi archived in sediments in an Earth System Model of intermediate complexity (EMIC). Our model results suggest that a change in the isotopic composition of Si supply to the glacial ocean is sufficient to explain the observed overall low(er) glacial δ 30 Si in BSi. All other processes explored trigger model responses of either wrong sign or magnitude or are inconsistent with a recent estimate of bottom water oxygenation in the Atlantic Sector of the Southern Ocean. Caveats, mainly associated with generic uncertainties in today's pelagic biogeochemical modules, remain. Key Points: We simulate the isotopic composition of biogenic silica archived in the ocean's sediment Our simulations with an Earth System Model compare modern climate to glacial conditions Out of several hypotheses tested, altering the isotopic composition of runoff during the LGM is most consistent with proxies