Abstract
AbstractThe cryospheric response to climatic warming responsible for recent Arctic sea ice decline can be elucidated using marine geological archives which offer an important long-term perspective. The Holocene Thermal Maximum, between 10 and 6 thousand years ago, provides an opportunity to investigate sea ice during a warmer-than-present interval. Here we use organic biomarkers and benthic foraminiferal stable isotope data from two sediment cores in the northernmost Barents Sea (>80 °N) to reconstruct seasonal sea ice between 11.7 and 9.1 thousand years ago. We identify the continued persistence of sea-ice biomarkers which suggest spring sea ice concentrations as high as 55%. During the same period, high foraminiferal oxygen stable isotopes and elevated phytoplankton biomarker concentrations indicate the influence of warm Atlantic-derived bottom water and peak biological productivity, respectively. We conclude that seasonal sea ice persisted in the northern Barents Sea during the Holocene Thermal Maximum, despite warmer-than-present conditions and Atlantic Water inflow.
DOI
10.1038/s43247-021-00191-x
Publication Date
2021-12-01
Publication Title
Communications Earth & Environment
Volume
2
Issue
1
ISSN
2662-4435
Embargo Period
2021-07-14
Organisational Unit
School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences
Recommended Citation
Pieńkowski, A. J., Husum, K., Belt, S., Ninnemann, U., Köseoğlu, D., Divine, D., Smik, L., Knies, J., Hogan, K., & Noormets, R. (2021) 'Seasonal sea ice persisted through the Holocene Thermal Maximum at 80°N', Communications Earth & Environment, 2(1). Available at: https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-021-00191-x
