Low- to high-productivity pattern within Heinrich Stadial 1: Inferences from dinoflagellate cyst records off Senegal
Journal
Global and Planetary Change
Journal Volume
106
Pages
64-76
Date Issued
2013
Author(s)
Abstract
In order to investigate a possible connection between tropical northeast (NE) Atlantic primary productivity, Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC), and drought in the Sahel region during Heinrich Stadial 1 (HS1), we used dinoflagellate cyst (dinocyst) assemblages, Mg/Ca based reconstructed temperatures, stable carbon isotopes (δ13C) and geochemical parameters of a marine sediment core (GeoB 9508-5) from the continental slope offshore Senegal. Our results show a two-phase productivity pattern within HS1 that progressed from an interval of low marine productivity between ~19 and 16kyr BP to a phase with an abrupt and large productivity increase from ~16 to 15kyr BP. The second phase is characterized by distinct heavy planktonic δ13C values and high concentrations of heterotrophic dinocysts in addition to a significant cooling signal based on the reconstructions of past sea surface temperatures (SSTs). We conclude that productivity variations within HS1 can be attributed to a substantial shift of West African atmospheric processes. Taken together our results indicate a significant intensification of the North East (NE) trade winds over West Africa leading to more intense upwelling during the last millennium of HS1 between ~16 and 15kyr BP, thus leaving a strong imprint on the dinocyst assemblages and sea surface conditions. Therefore, the two-phase productivity pattern indicates a complex hydrographic setting suggesting that HS1 cannot be regarded as uniform as previously thought. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.
Subjects
Dinoflagellate cysts; Heinrich Stadial 1; Marine productivity; NE trade winds; Senegal; Two-phase pattern; Upwelling
SDGs
Other Subjects
Dinoflagellate cysts; Heinrich Stadial 1; Marine productivity; Senegal; Trade winds; Two-phase pattern; Upwelling; Atmospheric temperature; Commerce; Isotopes; Oceanography; Submarine geology; Productivity; dinoflagellate; geochemistry; hydrographic survey; marine sediment; parameterization; primary production; sea surface temperature; sediment core; trade wind; upwelling; Sahel [Sub-Saharan Africa]; Senegal; West Africa; Dinophyceae
Type
journal article