Climate-induced changes in sedimentary regimes for organic matter supply on the continental shelf off northern Norway

Abstract

With this study, I suggest that changes in biogeochemical processes in northern Norwegian fjords during the last glacial/interglacial transition (14.3 to 6.3 ka B.P.) are predominantly climate induced. Variable strength in Atlantic water inflow, intrusion of Arctic waters and sea-ice coverage, various nutrient supply, as well as several re-advances of continental ice-sheets are recorded by both bulk organic and selected biomarkers in sediments of the Andfjord. Stable isotope (δ 13C org, δ 15N) and Rock-Eval pyrolysis data indicate a strong supply of terrestrial organic matter during stadials (e.g., Younger Dryas, Older Dryas) whereas enhanced input of marine organic matter prevailed during the interstadials (Bølling/Allerød). Profiles of selected biomarkers of marine origin show a characteristic climate-induced variation during the whole time interval, where relatively low concentrations of dinosterols and C 37 alkenones may indicate—similar to today—a minor contribution of their respective plankton groups (coccolithophorids, dinoflagellates). The prevalence of Arctic waters and seasonal sea-ice coverage during the Younger Dryas is indicated by a single maximum of 24-methylenecholesterol probably indicating the dominance of sea-ice diatoms and/or the prevalence of diatoms of Thalassiosiraceae in surface waters. The sediments of the Allerød, in contrast, show a pronounced maximum in dinosterols, indicating a better adaptation of dinoflagellates to an oceanic regime that is characterized by incipient intrusion of Atlantic water, highly variable sea surface temperatures, and well stratified water masses. The concentration of higher-molecular-weight n-alkanes, however, follows the deglacial–early Holocene trend of climate amelioration from the last deglaciation to the middle Holocene, with maxima during ice advances (stadials) and minima during the middle Holocene warm period. These new results significantly improve the understanding of climate-induced response on organic matter supply in fjords and provide a better knowledge of past variations of biogeochemical processes in high-latitude coastal environments.