Coupling of the distribution of silicon isotopes to the meridional overturning circulation of the North Atlantic Ocean

Abstract

The distribution of silicon isotopes within silicic acid, δ30Si(OH)4, was examined along a section in the North Atlantic from the Cape Verde Islands off Africa to Cape Cod, Massachusetts in North America. Surface water displayed elevated δ30Si(OH)4 associated with biological fractionation of Si during silica production. Below 300m variations in δ30Si(OH)4 were closely tied to the distribution of water masses as diagnosed through optimum multiparameter analysis, confirming a tight relationship between δ30Si(OH)4 and the meridional overturning circulation in the Atlantic. A linear relationship between δ30Si(OH)4 and the inverse of silicic acid concentration supported control of Si isotope distribution by conservative mixing of end member water masses of different isotopic composition in the Atlantic. There was a suggestion of a weak local minimum in δ30Si(OH)4 in deep waters above the Trans-Atlantic Geotraverse hydrothermal zone on the mid-Atlantic Ridge consistent with the light δ30Si(OH)4 of hydrothermal waters. The lightest δ30Si(OH)4 values were observed in the deep western and deep eastern basins where Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW) dominated. The heaviest values in subsurface waters occurred in North Atlantic Deep Water due to strong ventilation and the contribution of heavy northern source waters that are influenced by the Arctic Ocean. The concept of a silicon isotope bipole is introduced to explain how the isotopic differences between the northern and southern end-member water masses arise, and how they influence Si isotope distributions. Northern end-member water masses are heavy due to the influence of the Arctic Ocean. Bottom topography prevents light deep waters from entering the Arctic and the further removal of light isotopes through local biological productivity results in extremely heavy δ30Si(OH)4 within the Arctic. Light AABW dominates the southern end member. The Southern Ocean silicic acid trap distills heavier isotopes of Si out of the Southern Ocean as preformed silicic acid within Antarctic mode waters, while retaining light isotopes that become incorporated into AABW. The influence of the silicon isotope bipole is predicted to be strongest in the Atlantic as the net flow of waters through the Arctic Ocean is from the Pacific to the Atlantic.