Trends and centennial-scale variability of surface water temperatures in the North Atlantic during the Holocene. (1st August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sicre, Marie-Alexandrine; Jalali, Bassem; Eiríksson, Jón; Knudsen, Karen-Luise; Klein, Vincent; Pellichero, Violaine
• Is Part Of: Quaternary science reviews. Volume 265(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-08-01
• Subjects: Alkenones -- SST -- Holocene -- North Atlantic -- Subpolar gyre circulation; Geology, Stratigraphic -- Quaternary -- Periodicals; Stratigraphie -- Quaternaire -- Périodiques; 551.79
• DOI: 10.1016/j.quascirev.2021.107033
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0277-3791

Abstract

Abstract: Two sediment cores retrieved off North Iceland (western Nordic Seas) and on the eastern flank of Reykjanes Ridge (Iceland Basin) were analyzed to generate high-resolution alkenone-derived sea surface temperature (SST) records to investigate North Atlantic Ocean circulation changes during the Holocene. Early Holocene SSTs off North Iceland were unstable (10 ± 1 °C) and 3 °C warmer than today reflecting active northward heat transport of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) interrupted by intermittent Polar Waters incursions onto the North Icelandic shelf. The Holocene thermal optimum occurred synchronously east of Reykjanes Ridge, with a mean value of 11.5 °C (±0.5 °C) similar to today, consistent with a sustained influence of AMOC. Both records indicate that the circulation across the North Atlantic intensified between 8000 and 7000 yr BP. Thereafter, SSTs in the two basin sites broadly depict opposing trends and centennial-scale oscillations and a notable cooling at ∼5300 yr BP that coincides with Bond 4 event and the temporary collapse of the deep-water circulation. From 2500 yr BP onwards, SSTs in the Iceland Basin and the western Nordic Seas diverge leading to a marked cooling/warming dipole resulting in a temperature difference today of 4.5 °C. We show that SST trends and centennial-scale variability reflect variations of the subpolar gyre (SPG) circulation linked to drifting ice events and convection changes in the Labrador and Nordic Seas. Highlights: Early Holocene Thermal Optimum off North Iceland and East Reykjanes Ridge are synchronous with a 1.5 °C temperature difference. After 7000 yr BP surface temperatures show opposite trends due to different hydrological features in the two basins. Temperature difference between our western Nordic Seas and subpolar Atlantic sites reflects the subpolar gyre strength.