Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Paleoceanography

Publication Date

9-16-2004

Issue Number

3

Publication Number

PA3011

Volume Number

19

Abstract/ Summary

The causes of the glacial cycle remain unknown, although the primary driver is changes in atmospheric CO(2), likely controlled by the biological pump and biogeochemical cycles. The two most important regions of the ocean for exchange of CO(2) with the atmosphere are the equatorial Pacific and the Southern Ocean ( SO), the former a net source and the latter a net sink under present conditions. The equatorial Pacific has been shown to be a Si(OH)(4)-limited ecosystem, a consequence of the low source Si(OH)(4) concentrations in upwelled water that has its origin in the SO. This teleconnection for nutrients between the two regions suggests an oscillatory relationship that may influence or control glacial cycles. Opal mass accumulation rate (MAR) data and delta(15)N measurements in equatorial cores are interpreted with predictions from a one- dimensional Si(OH)(4)-limited ecosystem model (CoSINE) for the equatorial Pacific. The results suggest that equatorial Pacific surface CO(2) processes are in opposite phase to that of the global atmosphere, providing a negative feedback to the glacial cycle. This negative feedback is implemented through the effect of the SO on the equatorial Si(OH)(4) supply. An alternative hypothesis, that the whole ocean becomes Si(OH)(4) poor during cooling periods, is suggested by low opal MAR in cores from both equatorial and Antarctic regions, perhaps as a result of low river input. terminations in this scenario would result from blooms of coccolithophorids triggered by low Si(OH)(4) concentrations.

Citation/Publisher Attribution

Dugdale RC, Lyle M, Wilkerson FP, Chai F, Barber RT, Peng TH. Influence of Equatorial Diatom Processes on Si Deposition and Atmospheric Co(2) Cycles at Glacial/Interglacial Timescales. Paleoceanography. 2004;19(3): PA3011. To view the published open abstract, go to http://dx.doi.org and enter the DOI.

Publisher Statement

Copyright 2004 American Geophysical Union.

DOI

10.1029/2003PA000929

Version

publisher's version of the published document

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