Centennial-scale variability of past and water mass exchange across the eastern equatorial Atlantic basin

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Martin Frank, since 6/2009
• Subject Area: Palaeontology
• Term: from 2009 to 2015
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 87017276

This project aims to provide a centennial-scale reconstruction of heat fluxes and water mass transport at different water depths of the eastern equatorial Atlantic (EEA) basin over the past 150,000 years. The surface, intermediate, and deep water masses of the Atlantic Ocean are key components for the meridional exchange of heat and salt and have a strong impact on the climate. We will reconstruct changes in temperature, salinity, and the past spatio-temporal configuration of the EEA water masses. On the basis of these data we propose to assess the hydrographic impact on and response to centennial-scale instabilities of the interhemispheric thermal and haline exchange during periods of changing glacial and interglacial boundary conditions. We will use two sediment cores from the EEA recovered at strategic water depths and will analyse benthic and planktonic foraminiferal trace elements (Mg/Ca, Ba/Ca, Nd/Ca), stable isotopes (δ13C, δ18O), neodymium isotopes (143Nd/144Nd), and conduct 14C-AMS-datings in shells of planktonic and benthic foraminifers. These proxies will allow to independently unravel changes in the thermal and chemical structure, source, and age of water masses across the equatorial Atlantic basin. The goal of the proposed study is to improve our understanding of the role of hydrographic changes in controlling and responding to rapid climate instabilities. The results of our proposed study will enable a refined modelling of the impact of future climatic changes on the low latitude Atlantic Ocean.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Ehemaliger Antragsteller: Professor Dr. Syee Weldeab, until 6/2009