Mid-Holocene climate in New Caledonia (southwest Pacific): coral and PMIP models monthly resolved results

Abstract

The mid-Holocene climate is characterized by an insolation seasonality decrease in the Southern Hemisphere but measurements of its actual impact on monthly resolved sea surface temperature (SST) in the southwest Pacific region are still insufficient. A New Caledonian 5.5 ka cal BP coral provides a 20-year-long seasonally-resolved record of ocean surface conditions as inferred from coral Sr/Ca and Ba/Ca. Results were compared to monthly series of Paleoclimate Modeling Intercomparison Project phase 2 (PMIP2) model simulations. Anomalous stable isotope and U/Ca values are observed in a restricted area of the skeleton related to dissolution features. The mid-Holocene SST seasonal amplitude mean and variability are higher than presently in New Caledonia, the increased seasonal amplitude in the mid-Holocene being most probably due to the occurrence of colder winters. Other southwest Pacific mid-Holocene coral data showed also such an increased seasonal amplitude. This could mean that the South Pacific Convergence Zone (SPCZ) was weaker or reached locations more northerly than at present, which could fit with northward shifts of the inter-tropical convergence zone (ITCZ) during South Hemisphere winter. Inversely, strong rainfalls during the summer, deduced from the Ba/Ca signal and reconstructed sea surface salinity (SSS), were interpreted as reflecting pronounced southwestward shifts of the SPCZ in summer, as those occurring today during La Niña events. None of the six PMIP2 models used reproduce the proxy-based mid-Holocene increase of SST seasonal amplitude. Model maps show a less intense SPCZ in winter that would be consistent with higher SST seasonal amplitude. Finally, we stress the need for more seasonally-resolved data to validate this enhanced mid-Holocene SST seasonal amplitude in the southwest Pacific region and to better understand the underlying mechanisms.