Estimate of mid-Pliocene Paleo-pCO2 for ODP Hole 130-806 (Table 1), supplement to: Raymo, Maureen E; Grant, B; Horowitz, Michael; Rau, Greg H (1996): Mid-Pliocene warmth: stronger greenhouse and stronger conveyor. Marine Micropaleontology, 27(1-4), 313-326

• Main Authors: Raymo, Maureen E, Grant, B, Horowitz, Michael, Rau, Greg H
• Format: Dataset
• Language: English
• Published: PANGAEA - Data Publisher for Earth & Environmental Science 1996
• Subjects: DEPTH, sediment/rock; AGE; Sample code/label; δ13C, organic carbon; Carbon/Nitrogen ratio; δ13C, dissolved inorganic carbon; Sea surface temperature, annual mean; -; Partial pressure of carbon dioxide ambient atmosphere; Composite Core; DSDP/ODP/IODP sample designation; Leg130; Joides Resolution; Ocean Drilling Program ODP; Shackleton; North Atlantic; Sea ice
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.1594/pangaea.681721; https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.681721

Three million years ago, prior to the onset of northern hemisphere glaciation, global mean temperatures may have been as much as 3.5 °C warmer than at present. We present evidence, based on the carbon isotopic composition of marine organic matter, that atmospheric CO2 levels at this time were on average only about 35% higher than the preindustrial value of 280 ppm. We also present carbon isotopic evidence for stronger thermohaline circulation in the Atlantic Ocean during the warmest intervals and propose that the North Atlantic “conveyor belt” may act as a positive feedback to global warming by enhancing sea ice retreat and decreasing high latitude albedo. Based on our results, it seems unlikely that the mid Pliocene warm period was a doubled CO, world. : Depth is composite depth (mcd), age estimetes are calibrated to timescale of Shackleton et al (1990)