Northeast Atlantic sea surface circulation during the past 30-10 14 C kyr B.P.

• Published in: Paleoceanography
• Main Authors: Lassen, Susanne, Jansen, Eystein, Knudsen, Karen Luise, Kuijpers, Antoon, Kristensen, Margrethe, Christensen, Karen
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 1999
• Subjects: Arctic; Foraminifera*; Iceberg*; Magnetic susceptibility; Northeast Atlantic; Norwegian Sea; Planktonic foraminifera
• Online Access: https://pure.au.dk/portal/da/publications/northeast-atlantic-sea-surface-circulation-during-the-past-3010-14c-kyr-bp(2e1e419c-10b0-4620-91f6-73030d2bd697).html; https://doi.org/10.1029/1999PA900029; http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0033394001&partnerID=8YFLogxK

A study was made of three cores from the Faeroe-Shetland gateway, based on planktonic foraminifera, oxygen isotopes, accelerator mass spectrometry 14 C dates, magnetic susceptibility, and counts of ice rafted debris (IRD). The data, covering the period 30-10 ka, show that during the Last Glacial Maximum the Arctic Front occupied a position close to the Faeroes, allowing a persisting inflow of Atlantic surface water into the Faeroe-Shetland Channel. The oceanographic environment during deposition of two IRD layers is influenced by Atlantic surface water masses during the lower IRD layer, with transport of icebergs from N-NW. Polar surface water conditions prevailed only during deposition of the upper IRD layer. There is no indication of surface meltwater influence in the region during the deglaciation, but there is a persistent influence of Atlantic surface water masses in the region. Thus we conclude that during almost the entire period (30-10 ka) the Faeroe-Shetland Channel was a gateway for transport of Atlantic surface water toward the Norwegian Sea.