Benthic foraminiferal assemblages in Labrador Sea sediments: relations with deep-water mass changes since deglaciation

1994 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 128-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guy Bilodeau ◽  
Anne de Vernal ◽  
Claude Hillaire-Marcel

Surface sediment samples from the Labrador Sea and the Irminger and Iceland basins have been analysed for their benthic foraminiferal content to define the relationship between benthic foraminiferal assemblages and bottom-water characteristics. On the shelf (301–530 m) and the upper slope (1364 and 1980 m) the distribution of assemblages is complex and appears related to diversified microhabitats. In the deep-sea domain (> 2600 m) three main assemblages have been identified: the first, dominated by Epistominella exigua, is related to the North East Atlantic Deep Water (NEADW); the second, characterized by the co-dominance of Cibicides wuellerstorfi and E. exigua, seems to characterize the North West Atlantic Bottom Water (NWABW); the third, marked by the occurrence of Nuttalides umbonifera, is recorded at depths greater than 3500 m and is associated with the northern extent of the Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW).Microfaunal and isotopic analyses of two cores from the Greenland slope (90-013-011, 2800 m) and rise (90-013-013, 3300 m) provide insight into the changes in the deep-water mass characteristics of the Labrador Sea over the past 15 000 years. Prior to 8500 BP, sparse assemblages dominated by either Pullenia quinqueloba, Uvigerina peregrina, or Melonis pompiloides suggest changing environmental conditions. In particular, a peak of U. peregrina recorded just before the Younger Dryas event in the deepest core is associated with the northward advance of a relatively warm, oxygen-poor bottom-water mass from the Atlantic. After 8500 BP, the increasing proportion of E. exigua suggests the formation of a bottom-water mass similar to the modern NEADW. Finally, higher percentages of C. wuellerstorfi in late Holocene sediments (after 5500 BP) are associated with increased NWABW and indicate the development of modern bottom water.

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (7) ◽  
pp. 2075-2090 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maribel I. García-Ibáñez ◽  
Fiz F. Pérez ◽  
Pascale Lherminier ◽  
Patricia Zunino ◽  
Herlé Mercier ◽  
...  

Abstract. We present the distribution of water masses along the GEOTRACES-GA01 section during the GEOVIDE cruise, which crossed the subpolar North Atlantic Ocean and the Labrador Sea in the summer of 2014. The water mass structure resulting from an extended optimum multiparameter (eOMP) analysis provides the framework for interpreting the observed distributions of trace elements and their isotopes. Central Waters and Subpolar Mode Waters (SPMW) dominated the upper part of the GEOTRACES-GA01 section. At intermediate depths, the dominant water mass was Labrador Sea Water, while the deep parts of the section were filled by Iceland–Scotland Overflow Water (ISOW) and North-East Atlantic Deep Water. We also evaluate the water mass volume transports across the 2014 OVIDE line (Portugal to Greenland section) by combining the water mass fractions resulting from the eOMP analysis with the absolute geostrophic velocity field estimated through a box inverse model. This allowed us to assess the relative contribution of each water mass to the transport across the section. Finally, we discuss the changes in the distribution and transport of water masses between the 2014 OVIDE line and the 2002–2010 mean state. At the upper and intermediate water levels, colder end-members of the water masses replaced the warmer ones in 2014 with respect to 2002–2010, in agreement with the long-term cooling of the North Atlantic Subpolar Gyre that started in the mid-2000s. Below 2000 dbar, ISOW increased its contribution in 2014 with respect to 2002–2010, with the increase being consistent with other estimates of ISOW transports along 58–59° N. We also observed an increase in SPMW in the East Greenland Irminger Current in 2014 with respect to 2002–2010, which supports the recent deep convection events in the Irminger Sea. From the assessment of the relative water mass contribution to the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) across the OVIDE line, we conclude that the larger AMOC intensity in 2014 compared to the 2002–2010 mean was related to both the increase in the northward transport of Central Waters in the AMOC upper limb and to the increase in the southward flow of Irminger Basin SPMW and ISOW in the AMOC lower limb.


Ocean Science ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 463-486
Author(s):  
Mian Liu ◽  
Toste Tanhua

Abstract. A large number of water masses are presented in the Atlantic Ocean, and knowledge of their distributions and properties is important for understanding and monitoring of a range of oceanographic phenomena. The characteristics and distributions of water masses in biogeochemical space are useful for, in particular, chemical and biological oceanography to understand the origin and mixing history of water samples. Here, we define the characteristics of the major water masses in the Atlantic Ocean as source water types (SWTs) from their formation areas, and map out their distributions. The SWTs are described by six properties taken from the biased-adjusted Global Ocean Data Analysis Project version 2 (GLODAPv2) data product, including both conservative (conservative temperature and absolute salinity) and non-conservative (oxygen, silicate, phosphate and nitrate) properties. The distributions of these water masses are investigated with the use of the optimum multi-parameter (OMP) method and mapped out. The Atlantic Ocean is divided into four vertical layers by distinct neutral densities and four zonal layers to guide the identification and characterization. The water masses in the upper layer originate from wintertime subduction and are defined as central waters. Below the upper layer, the intermediate layer consists of three main water masses: Antarctic Intermediate Water (AAIW), Subarctic Intermediate Water (SAIW) and Mediterranean Water (MW). The North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW, divided into its upper and lower components) is the dominating water mass in the deep and overflow layer. The origin of both the upper and lower NADW is the Labrador Sea Water (LSW), the Iceland–Scotland Overflow Water (ISOW) and the Denmark Strait Overflow Water (DSOW). The Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW) is the only natural water mass in the bottom layer, and this water mass is redefined as Northeast Atlantic Bottom Water (NEABW) in the north of the Equator due to the change of key properties, especially silicate. Similar with NADW, two additional water masses, Circumpolar Deep Water (CDW) and Weddell Sea Bottom Water (WSBW), are defined in the Weddell Sea region in order to understand the origin of AABW.


1994 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Lucotte ◽  
Claude Hillaire-Marcel

The main deep water masses present at the time of the CSS Hudson cruises in Labrador and Irminger seas in June 1990 and October–November 1991 have been identified using characteristic temperatures (T) and salinities (S). The purpose of this study was to establish the transfer functions between micropaleontological assemblages of top sediments and thermohaline characteristics of water masses. The water mass at the top of the Labrador Sea (Labrador Sea Water, LSW) is formed after intense movements of winter convection in the first 900-m depth of the water column. Below that depth, the LSW parameters reach a double minimum (S ≈ 34.80 and T ≈ 2.9 °C). Only the sediments located on the continental slopes of Greenland and Labrador between depths of 500 and 1500 m are in contact with the LSW. Below the LSW, the superior fraction of the North East Atlantic Deep Water (NEADW1) is characterized by a temperature maximum (≈ 3.3 °C) and, as such, is distinguishable from the inferior fraction (NEADW2). The latter is characterized by a maximum S (≈ 34, 90) when compared with other intermediary and deep water masses. In contrast to the NEADW1 that freely circulates over the Reykjanes Ridge, the NEADW2 must flow through the Charlie Gibbs Fracture Zone to go from the northeastern Atlantic to the Irminger Sea. The NEADW 1 and 2 respectively bathe the ridge section less than 2000 m deep and the European abyssal basins. On the contrary, the majority of the deep sediments of the Labrador and Irminger seas are in contact with the cold (T < 2.6 °C) and salty (≈ 34.85) Denmark Strait Overflow Water. Although this water mass is normally found at depths exceeding 2700 m in pelagic environments, it can be found at less than 2000-m depth on the bottom of the continental slopes of Greenland and Labrador, where it is carried by the strong Deep Northern Boundary Current and Western Boundary Undercurrent. The presence of the NEADW 1 and 2 on the sediments is then restricted to narrow bands on the same continental slopes, between depths of 1800 and 2200 m.


Author(s):  
Peter R. Dawes ◽  
Bjørn Thomassen ◽  
T.I. Hauge Andersson

NOTE: This article was published in a former series of GEUS Bulletin. Please use the original series name when citing this article, for example: Dawes, P. R., Thomassen, B., & Andersson, T. H. (2000). A new volcanic province: evidence from glacial erratics in western North Greenland. Geology of Greenland Survey Bulletin, 186, 35-41. https://doi.org/10.34194/ggub.v186.5213 _______________ Mapping and regional geological studies in northern Greenland were carried out during the project Kane Basin 1999 (see Dawes et al. 2000, this volume). During ore geological studies in Washington Land by one of us (B.T.), finds of erratics of banded iron formation (BIF) directed special attention to the till, glaciofluvial and fluvial sediments. This led to the discovery that in certain parts of Daugaard-Jensen Land and Washington Land volcanic rocks form a common component of the surficial deposits, with particularly colourful, red porphyries catching the eye. The presence of BIF is interesting but not altogether unexpected since BIF erratics have been reported from southern Hall Land just to the north-east (Kelly & Bennike 1992) and such rocks crop out in the Precambrian shield of North-West Greenland to the south (Fig. 1; Dawes 1991). On the other hand, the presence of volcanic erratics was unexpected and stimulated the work reported on here.


1998 ◽  
Vol 180 ◽  
pp. 163-167
Author(s):  
Antoon Kuijpers ◽  
Jørn Bo Jensen ◽  
Simon R . Troelstra ◽  
And shipboard scientific party of RV Professor Logachev and RV Dana

Direct interaction between the atmosphere and the deep ocean basins takes place today only in the Southern Ocean near the Antarctic continent and in the northern extremity of the North Atlantic Ocean, notably in the Norwegian–Greenland Sea and Labrador Sea. Cooling and evaporation cause surface waters in the latter region to become dense and sink. At depth, further mixing occurs with Arctic water masses from adjacent polar shelves. Export of these water masses from the Norwegian–Greenland Sea (Norwegian Sea Overflow Water) to the North Atlantic basin occurs via two major gateways, the Denmark Strait system and the Faeroe– Shetland Channel and Faeroe Bank Channel system (e.g. Dickson et al. 1990; Fig.1). Deep convection in the Labrador Sea produces intermediate waters (Labrador Sea Water), which spreads across the North Atlantic. Deep waters thus formed in the North Atlantic (North Atlantic Deep Water) constitute an essential component of a global ‘conveyor’ belt extending from the North Atlantic via the Southern and Indian Oceans to the Pacific. Water masses return as a (warm) surface water flow. In the North Atlantic this is the Gulf Stream and the relatively warm and saline North Atlantic Current. Numerous palaeo-oceanographic studies have indicated that climatic changes in the North Atlantic region are closely related to changes in surface circulation and in the production of North Atlantic Deep Water. Abrupt shut-down of the ocean-overturning and subsequently of the conveyor belt is believed to represent a potential explanation for rapid climate deterioration at high latitudes, such as those that caused the Quaternary ice ages. Here it should be noted, that significant changes in deep convection in Greenland waters have also recently occurred. While in the Greenland Sea deep water formation over the last decade has drastically decreased, a strong increase of deep convection has simultaneously been observed in the Labrador Sea (Sy et al. 1997).


1964 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8

Early in 1963 much of the land occupied by the Roman building at Fishbourne was purchased by Mr. I. D. Margary, M.A., F.S.A., and was given to the Sussex Archaeological Trust. The Fishbourne Committee of the trust was set up to administer the future of the site. The third season's excavation, carried out at the desire of this committee, was again organized by the Chichester Civic Society.1 About fifty volunteers a day were employed from 24th July to 3rd September. Excavation concentrated upon three main areas; the orchard south of the east wing excavated in 1962, the west end of the north wing, and the west wing. In addition, trial trenches were dug at the north-east and north-west extremities of the building and in the area to the north of the north wing. The work of supervision was carried out by Miss F. Pierce, M.A., Mr. B. Morley, Mr. A. B. Norton, B.A., and Mr. J. P. Wild, B.A. Photography was organized by Mr. D. B. Baker and Mrs. F. A. Cunliffe took charge of the pottery and finds.


Sedimentology ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 669-695 ◽  
Author(s):  
Russell B. Wynn ◽  
Philip P. E. Weaver ◽  
Douglas G. Masson ◽  
Dorrik A. V. Stow

In this paper the author investigates the periodical variations of the winds, rain and temperature, corresponding to the conditions of the moon’s declination, in a manner similar to that he has already followed in the case of the barometrical variations, on a period of years extending from 1815 to 1832 inclusive. In each case he gives tables of the average quantities for each week, at the middle of which the moon is in the equator, or else has either attained its maximum north or south declination. He thus finds that a north-east wind is most promoted by the constant solar influence which causes it, when the moon is about the equator, going from north to south; that a south-east wind, in like manner, prevails most when the moon is proceeding to acquire a southern declination ; that winds from the south and west blow more when the moon is in her mean degrees of declination, going either way, than with a full north or south declination ; and that a north-west wind, the common summer and fair weather wind of the climate, affects, in like manner, the mean declination, in either direction, in preference to the north or south, and most when the moon is coming north. He finds the average annual depth of rain, falling in the neighbourhood of London, is 25’17 inches.


2000 ◽  
Vol 79 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 335-343 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marit-Solveig Seidenkrantz ◽  
Karen Luise Knudsen ◽  
Peter Kristensen

AbstractThe marine Eemian (marine oxygen-isotope substage 5e: MIS 5e) is represented by shallow-water deposits in southern and western Denmark, while relatively deep-water environments occurred to the north and north-east, where complete interglacial successions seem to be present. We present an overview of the marine Eemian deposits in Denmark, and discuss in more detail indications of climate variability, both for the late Saalian and within the Eemian.


2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 36-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zahid Latif

Ireland is the third largest island in Europe and the twentieth largest island in the world, with an area of 86 576 km2; it has a total population of slightly under 6 million. It lies to the north-west of continental Europe and to the west of Great Britain. The Republic of Ireland covers five-sixths of the island; Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom, is in the north-east. Twenty-six of the 32 counties are in the Republic of Ireland, which has a population of 4.2 million, and its capital is Dublin. The other six counties are in Northern Ireland, which has a population of 1.75 million, and its capital is Belfast. In 1973 both parts of Ireland joined the European Economic Community. This article looks at psychiatry in the Republic of Ireland.


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