Response of the Bering Sea to 11‐year solar irradiance cycles during the Bølling‐Allerød

Abstract

AbstractPrevious studies find decadal climate variability possibly related to solar activity, although the details regarding the feedback with the ocean environment and ecosystem remain unknown. Here, we explore the feedback system of solar irradiance change during the Bølling‐Allerød period, based on laminated sediments in the northern Bering Sea. During this period, well‐ventilated water was restricted to the upper intermediate layer, and oxygen‐poor lower intermediate water preserved the laminated sediment. An 11‐year cycle of diatom and radiolarian flux peaks was identified from the laminated interval. Increased fresh meltwater input and early sea‐ice retreat in spring under the solar irradiance maximum follow the positive phase of Arctic Oscillation which impacted the primary production and volume of upper intermediate water production in the following winter. Strength of this 11 year solar irradiance effect might be further regulated by the pressure patterns of Pacific decadal oscillation and/or El Niño‐Southern Oscillation variability.