Subtropical Atlantic salinity variability and Atlantic meridional circulation during the last deglaciation

Abstract

Research Article| December 01, 2008 Subtropical Atlantic salinity variability and Atlantic meridional circulation during the last deglaciation Anders E. Carlson; Anders E. Carlson 11Department of Geology and Geophysics, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543, USA *Current address: Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53706, USA; acarlson@geology.wisc.edu. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Delia W. Oppo; Delia W. Oppo 11Department of Geology and Geophysics, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Rosemarie E. Came; Rosemarie E. Came 22Geology and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, USA †Current address: Department of Geological Sciences, Jackson School of Geoscience, University of Texas, Austin, TX, 78713, USA. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Allegra N. LeGrande; Allegra N. LeGrande 33National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Goddard Institute for Space Studies and Center for Climate Systems Research, Columbia University, New York, New York 10025, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Lloyd D. Keigwin; Lloyd D. Keigwin 11Department of Geology and Geophysics, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar William B. Curry William B. Curry 11Department of Geology and Geophysics, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (2008) 36 (12): 991–994. https://doi.org/10.1130/G25080A.1 Article history received: 23 Apr 2008 rev-recd: 19 Aug 2008 accepted: 03 Sep 2008 first online: 02 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 Anders E. Carlson, Delia W. Oppo, Rosemarie E. Came, Allegra N. LeGrande, Lloyd D. Keigwin, William B. Curry; Subtropical Atlantic salinity variability and Atlantic meridional circulation during the last deglaciation. Geology 2008;; 36 (12): 991–994. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G25080A.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 During the last deglaciation (ca. 21–10 ka), freshening of the North Atlantic surface likely caused reductions in Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC); the mechanisms related to AMOC recovery remain poorly understood. Here we present three new deglacial surface temperature and δ18Oseawater (δ18Osw) reconstructions from the western subtropical North and South Atlantic. Similarities to tropical Caribbean and western Atlantic δ18Osw records suggest that a salty surface water mass accumulated in the western Atlantic from 27°S to 33°N during periods of reduced AMOC. However, δ18Osw decreases led deep AMOC resumption by hundreds of years. We suggest that the northward export of salt previously trapped in the western Atlantic resulted in the early establishment of a shallow overturning circulation that eventually culminated in deep AMOC resumption, implying that AMOC may constitute a self-limiting system. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.