CO2-driven ocean circulation changes as an amplifier of Paleocene-Eocene thermal maximum hydrate destabilization

Abstract

Research Article| October 01, 2010 CO2-driven ocean circulation changes as an amplifier of Paleocene-Eocene thermal maximum hydrate destabilization Daniel J. Lunt; Daniel J. Lunt * 1School of Geographical Science, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1SS, UK2British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge CB3 0ET, UK *E-mail: d.j.lunt@bristol.ac.uk. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Paul J. Valdes; Paul J. Valdes 1School of Geographical Science, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1SS, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Tom Dunkley Jones; Tom Dunkley Jones † 3Department of Geography, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK †Current address: Department of Earth Science and Engineering, Imperial College, London SW7 2AZ, UK. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Andy Ridgwell; Andy Ridgwell 1School of Geographical Science, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1SS, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Alan M. Haywood; Alan M. Haywood 4School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Daniela N. Schmidt; Daniela N. Schmidt 5Department of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1RJ, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Robert Marsh; Robert Marsh 6School of Ocean and Earth Science, University of Southampton, National Oceanography Centre, Southampton SO14 3ZH, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Mark Maslin Mark Maslin 3Department of Geography, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Daniel J. Lunt * 1School of Geographical Science, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1SS, UK2British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge CB3 0ET, UK Paul J. Valdes 1School of Geographical Science, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1SS, UK Tom Dunkley Jones † 3Department of Geography, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK Andy Ridgwell 1School of Geographical Science, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1SS, UK Alan M. Haywood 4School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK Daniela N. Schmidt 5Department of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1RJ, UK Robert Marsh 6School of Ocean and Earth Science, University of Southampton, National Oceanography Centre, Southampton SO14 3ZH, UK Mark Maslin 3Department of Geography, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK *E-mail: d.j.lunt@bristol.ac.uk. †Current address: Department of Earth Science and Engineering, Imperial College, London SW7 2AZ, UK. Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 04 Mar 2010 Revision Received: 06 May 2010 Accepted: 07 May 2010 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 © 2010 Geological Society of America Geology (2010) 38 (10): 875–878. https://doi.org/10.1130/G31184.1 Article history Received: 04 Mar 2010 Revision Received: 06 May 2010 Accepted: 07 May 2010 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Daniel J. Lunt, Paul J. Valdes, Tom Dunkley Jones, Andy Ridgwell, Alan M. Haywood, Daniela N. Schmidt, Robert Marsh, Mark Maslin; CO2-driven ocean circulation changes as an amplifier of Paleocene-Eocene thermal maximum hydrate destabilization. Geology 2010;; 38 (10): 875–878. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G31184.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Changes in ocean circulation have been proposed as a trigger mechanism for the large coupled climate and carbon cycle perturbations at the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM, ca. 55 Ma). An abrupt warming of oceanic intermediate waters could have initiated the thermal destabilization of sediment-hosted methane gas hydrates and potentially triggered sediment slumps and slides. In an ensemble of fully coupled atmosphere-ocean general circulation model (AOGCM) simulations of the late Paleocene and early Eocene, we identify such a circulation-driven enhanced intermediate-water warming. Critically, we find an approximate twofold amplification of Atlantic intermediate-water warming when CO2 levels are doubled from 2× to 4× preindustrial CO2 compared to when they are doubled from 1× to 2×. This warming is largely focused on the equatorial and South Atlantic and is driven by a significant reduction in deep-water formation from the Southern Ocean. This scenario is consistent with altered PETM circulation patterns inferred from benthic carbon isotope data and the intensity of deep-sea carbonate dissolution in the South Atlantic. The linkage between intermediate-water warming and gas hydrate destabilization could provide an important feedback in the establishment of peak PETM warmth. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.