Paleoclimate implications of high latitude precession-scale mineralogic fluctuations during early Oligocene Antarctic glaciation: the Great Australian Bight record

Abstract

Sediments from ODP Site 1128 in the Great Australian Bight record isotopic and mineralogic variations corresponding to orbital parameters and regional climate change during the early Oligocene climate transition and Oi1 glacial event. Bulk carbonate stable isotope analyses reveal prominent positive oxygen and carbon isotope shifts related to the inferred major increase in glaciation at approximately 33.6 to 33.48 Ma. The oxygen isotope excursion corresponds to a prolonged period of low eccentricity, suggesting ice-sheet growth during low seasonality conditions. The clay mineralogy is dominated by smectite throughout. The exclusive occurrence of highly crystalline smectite from 33.6 to 33.5 Ma suggests the occurrence of explosive volcanism that correlates with the positive oxygen isotope shift. The dominance of mixed-layer smectite from 33.5 to 33.4 Ma and an increase in illite following 33.4 Ma indicates a transition from cool, wet conditions to cool, dry conditions over Australia during the Oi1 glaciation. Clay mineralogy and carbonate percentages reveal precession-scale oscillations during the Oi1 event. Kaolinite varies inversely with smectite and percent carbonate. Variations in precipitation and runoff, and wind velocities during southern hemisphere summer perihelion and high eccentricity intervals may account for the precession-scale oscillations.