Neodymium Isotope Ratios Research Articles

Geochemical provenance of sediments from the northern East China Sea document a gradual migration of the Asian Monsoon belt over the past 400,000 years

The reconstruction of the long-term evolution of the East Asian Monsoon remains controversial. In this study, we aim to give a new outlook on this evolution by studying a 400 kyr long sediment record (U1429) from the northern East China Sea recovered during IODP Expedition 346. Neodymium isotopic ratios and rare earth element concentrations of different grain-size fractions reveal significant provenance changes of the sediments in the East China Sea between East Asian continental sources (mainly Yellow River) and sediment contributions from the Japanese Archipelago. These provenance changes are interpreted as the direct impact of sea level changes, due to the reorganization of East Asian river mouth locations and ocean circulation on the East China Sea shelf, and latitudinal shifts of the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) from the interior of Asia to the western North Pacific Ocean. Our data reveal the dominance of winter and summer monsoons during glacial and interglacial periods, respectively, except for glacial MIS 6d (∼150–180 ka) during which unexpected summer monsoon dominated conditions prevailed. Finally, our data suggests a possible strengthening of the interglacial summer monsoon rainfalls over the East Asian continent and Japan throughout the past 400 kyr, and between MIS 11 and MIS 5 in particular. This could result from a gradual northward migration of the ITCZ.

Pb, Sr and Nd Isotope Ratios of Permian-Triassic Flood Basalts in the Basement of the West Siberian Plate

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Clay mineralogy, strontium and neodymium isotope ratios in the sediments of two High Arctic catchments (Svalbard)

Abstract. The identification of sediment sources to the ocean is a prerequisite to using marine sediment cores to extract information on past climate and ocean circulation. Sr and Nd isotopes are classical tools with which to trace source provenance. Despite considerable interest in the Arctic Ocean, the circum-Arctic source regions are poorly characterised in terms of their Sr and Nd isotopic compositions. In this study we present Sr and Nd isotope data from the Paleogene Central Basin sediments of Svalbard, including the first published data of stream suspended sediments from Svalbard. The stream suspended sediments exhibit considerable isotopic variation (εNd = −20.6 to −13.4; 87Sr ∕ 86Sr = 0.73421 to 0.74704) which can be related to the depositional history of the sedimentary formations from which they are derived. In combination with analysis of the clay mineralogy of catchment rocks and sediments, we suggest that the Central Basin sedimentary rocks were derived from two sources. One source is Proterozoic sediments derived from Greenlandic basement rocks which are rich in illite and have high 87Sr ∕ 86Sr and low εNd values. The second source is Carboniferous to Jurassic sediments derived from Siberian basalts which are rich in smectite and have low 87Sr ∕ 86Sr and high εNd values. Due to a change in depositional conditions throughout the Paleogene (from deep sea to continental) the relative proportions of these two sources vary in the Central Basin formations. The modern stream suspended sediment isotopic composition is then controlled by modern processes, in particular glaciation, which determines the present-day exposure of the formations and therefore the relative contribution of each formation to the stream suspended sediment load. This study demonstrates that the Nd isotopic composition of stream suspended sediments exhibits seasonal variation, which likely mirrors longer-term hydrological changes, with implications for source provenance studies based on fixed end-members through time.

Neodymium isotope ratios and a positive d13C excursion: interpreting the connection between oceanographic and climate changes during the early Late Ordovician of Laurentia

Neodymium isotope ratios and a positive d13C excursion: interpreting the connection between oceanographic and climate changes during the early Late Ordovician of Laurentia

Neodymium isotope ratio measurements by CE-MC-ICPMS: investigation of isotopic fractionation and evaluation of analytical performances

This study demonstrated the feasibility of precise online measurements of Nd isotope ratios by EC-MC-ICPMS.

Neodymium isotopic evidence for linked changes in Southeast Atlantic and Southwest Pacific circulation over the last 200 kyr

Knowledge of the geometry and strength of the deep overturning circulation is central to the understanding of past climate variability on glacial–interglacial (G–I) timescales. In this study, neodymium (Nd) isotopic ratios on planktonic foraminifera are used to reconstruct the water mass source and mixing history of intermediate and deep water in the Southeast (SE) Atlantic and Southwest (SW) Pacific over the past 200 kyr from five sediment cores. Nd isotopes from a depth transect of cores in the SE Atlantic displayed a stronger geochemical gradient around 3.5 km at the LGM, with higher εNd values of ∼−6.0 below that boundary than those of ∼−7.8 above. In contrast, a similar εNd value (∼−9.5) is observed at both the intermediate and abyssal depths in the Holocene. The glacial upper ocean is 1.8 εNd units less radiogenic than the lower ocean, reflecting an increase in the amount of North Atlantic Component Water (NACW) in the upper SE Atlantic. A coherent Nd isotope change was observed in the SE Atlantic and SW Pacific intermediate and deep water with major excursion to more radiogenic εNd values during Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 2, 4 and 6. This suggests the flux of NACW to the Southern Ocean was reduced during cold marine stages, possibly accompanied by changes in the water mass geometry. The constant 2 εNd-unit offset between intermediate water in the SE Atlantic and SW Pacific suggests the persistent propagation of less radiogenic NACW to the upper Pacific Ocean over the last glacial cycle. Moreover, the larger glacial vertical εNd gradients between the intermediate and deep waters in both the SE Atlantic and SW Pacific indicate a decreased proportion of NACW entrainment into the deep oceans, consistent with studies proposing reduced mixing between the upper and lower meridional overturning cells.

Implications for post-comminution processes in subglacial suspended sediment using coupled radiogenic strontium and neodymium isotopes

Enhanced physical weathering rates in subglacial systems promote high levels of comminution, transport, and deposition of fine-grained sediment within the subglacial drainage network. The impact of shifts in sediment loads from variations in meltwater flux, and their effects on downstream ecosystems, remains poorly quantified and places a fundamental importance on our ability to characterize subglacial depositional environments. Here, for the first time, we assess the seasonal evolution of the subglacial suspended sediment using coupled radiogenic strontium (87Sr/86Sr) and neodymium (143Nd/144Nd) isotopic ratios with elemental ratios and in situ measurements. Weathering rates in fluvial and riverine systems have been traditionally assessed using radiogenic isotopic tracers: 143Nd/144Nd ratios relate to the crustal age whereas 87Sr/86Sr ratios relate to age and preferential mineral dissolution. Thus relative shifts in these ratios will allow us to characterize distinct sediment transport networks. We apply this technique to the Lemon Creek Glacier (LCG), Alaska, USA, and to the Athabasca Glacier (AG), Alberta, CA. At the LCG, the 143Nd/144Nd values range from εNd of −4.6 (0.9) to −8.7 (0.2), which suggests a poorly mixed sediment flux. However, the greatest period of variability may correlate with the drainage of a supraglacial lake and suggests caution should be exerted in time-scale 143Nd/144Nd provenance studies that may be affected by climatic disturbances. In contrast, limited variation is observed within the AG 143Nd/144Nd seasonal record. A consistent, direct relation between the Rb/Sr elemental ratio and the 87Sr/86Sr ratio proves interesting as it enables us to unravel incongruent weathering trends in the radiogenic Sr record. Correlation between the 87Sr/86Sr and total discharge suggests that the process is partially controlled by mantling of the bedrock, which can be detected using post-comminution ages. While the subglacial structure may be enabled by the subglacial till beneath the AG, our study supports the use of Sr-Nd as a new proxy in the subglacial environment.

Gradual changes in upwelled seawater conditions (redox, pH) from the late Cretaceous through early Paleogene at the northwest coast of Africa: Negative Ce anomaly trend recorded in fossil bio-apatite

Marine vertebrate fossils from late Cretaceous–early Paleogene shallow marine phosphorites of Morocco were investigated for their trace element compositions and neodymium isotopic ratios in order to constrain marine and depositional conditions. The various analyzed fossils are separated into two groups with different geochemical compositions: (1) shark tooth enameloid with generally lower Cu, Ba, rare earth elements (REEs) and U, and higher Na, Zn and Sr concentrations than (2) dentine, bone, and coprolites. These differences are related to the originally different structures of these fossils.All the fossils revealed very similar shale-normalized REE patterns, with negative Ce anomaly and heavy REE enrichment mimicking the REE pattern of modern oxic-seawater. The results therefore suggest REE uptake by the fossils from an early diagenetic pore fluid that was dominated by seawater. Importantly, the Ce anomaly does not vary among the different types of fossil remains and the values are very similar in a given layer. Moreover, a step-wise shift towards lower Ce/Ce* values from older to younger beds is apparent. Nd isotope analyses across the phosphorite succession yielded minor variation with an average εNd(t) value of −6.2±0.4 (n=12) indicating no major changes in the REE source during the studied interval. The relatively radiogenic values reflect Tethyan connection and/or important contribution of a mafic Nd source from weathering in the region.The age-related trend in the Ce anomaly is interpreted to be due to changes in redox and/or pH conditions of the upwelling seawater on the shallow shelf areas. The driving force of these changes was probably an extended global oceanic circulation, especially enhanced connection and water exchange between the North and South Atlantic.

Spatial variability of African dust in soils in a montane tropical landscape in Puerto Rico

Dust deposition provides rock-derived nutrients such as phosphorus (P) to terrestrial ecosystems. Over pedogenic timescales, as bedrock sources of P are depleted, dust sources of P may support productivity in certain ecosystems, but controls on the spatial variability of dust in montane forested systems are largely unknown. Here, we use neodymium (Nd) isotope ratios in 31 ridgetop surface soils to evaluate the spatial variability of dust contributions to soil across ~100km2 in the Luquillo Mountains, Puerto Rico. Dust from the Sahara–Sahel region of Africa carries a distinct isotopic signature of −12 εNd. Local bedrock, in contrast, has a εNd value of ~+7. End-member mixing calculations based on εNd reveal a wide range in dust influence on surface soils, with between 0% and 92% of the top 20cm of ridgetop soil Nd derived from African dust. Using εNd paired with both dust and soil Nd content, the current soil dust content was calculated, ranging from 0 to 8%. There were no correlations between current dust content of soil and 10Be-based denudation rate, elevation, rainfall, longitude, or forest type. Current soil dust content in the Luquillo Mountains is significantly higher in soils developed on volcaniclastic sandstone, breccia and mudstone than in soils developed on quartz diorite bedrock, which we attribute to greater retention capacity in the volcaniclastic soils. Current soil dust content also increases with increasing ridge-width, implying that small-scale topographic effects and other factors such as wind speed and turbulence influence local dust deposition rates. Higher current dust content of soil is also positively correlated with biologically cycled fractions of soil P on quartz diorite bedrock (r2=0.24 and p=0.002 for sum of extractable NaHCO3-P+NaOH-P), suggesting that atmospheric dust inputs contribute to the fertility of Luquillo Mountain ecosystems on the relatively P-poor quartz diorite bedrock.

Onset of Antarctic Circumpolar Current 30 million years ago as Tasmanian Gateway aligned with westerlies.

Earth's mightiest ocean current, the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC), regulates the exchange of heat and carbon between the ocean and the atmosphere, and influences vertical ocean structure, deep-water production and the global distribution of nutrients and chemical tracers. The eastward-flowing ACC occupies a unique circumglobal pathway in the Southern Ocean that was enabled by the tectonic opening of key oceanic gateways during the break-up of Gondwana (for example, by the opening of the Tasmanian Gateway, which connects the Indian and Pacific oceans). Although the ACC is a key component of Earth's present and past climate system, the timing of the appearance of diagnostic features of the ACC (for example, low zonal gradients in water-mass tracer fields) is poorly known and represents a fundamental gap in our understanding of Earth history. Here we show, using geophysically determined positions of continent-ocean boundaries, that the deep Tasmanian Gateway opened 33.5 ± 1.5 million years ago (the errors indicate uncertainty in the boundary positions). Following this opening, sediments from Indian and Pacific cores recorded Pacific-type neodymium isotope ratios, revealing deep westward flow equivalent to the present-day Antarctic Slope Current. We observe onset of the ACC at around 30 million years ago, when Southern Ocean neodymium isotopes record a permanent shift to modern Indian-Atlantic ratios. Our reconstructions of ocean circulation show that massive reorganization and homogenization of Southern Ocean water masses coincided with migration of the northern margin of the Tasmanian Gateway into the mid-latitude westerly wind band, which we reconstruct at 64° S, near to the northern margin. Onset of the ACC about 30 million years ago coincided with major changes in global ocean circulation and probably contributed to the lower atmospheric carbon dioxide levels that appear after this time.

Separating biogeochemical cycling of neodymium from water mass mixing in the Eastern North Atlantic

The radiogenic neodymium (Nd) isotope ratio 143Nd/144Nd (expressed in εNd) is being used as a tracer in paleo and modern ocean circulation. However, the mechanisms controlling input, distribution, and internal cycling are far from understood. For example, globally, Nd concentration ([Nd]) commonly follows patterns of nutrient tracers, generally increasing with depth below the thermocline, while εNd, tends to reflect the water masses, which has often been referred to as the ‘Nd-paradox’. Here we present dissolved Nd isotopes and concentrations at unprecedented vertical and spatial resolution from the eastern part of the US GEOTRACES North Atlantic Zonal Transect (Gulf of Cadiz – Mauritanian Shelf – Cape Verde Islands).The [Nd] of all samples ranges from 12.3 to 36.7 pmol/kg, with lowest [Nd] usually found within the layer of highest chlorophyll-a levels (chl-max), suggesting removal through scavenging. The Nd isotope compositions range between εNd=−13.4 and −9.9, with lower values at the surface within the extension of the Saharan dust plume and a benthic nepheloid layer (BNL). Less negative values are found in oligotrophic surface waters, Mediterranean Outflow Water (MOW), and near the Cape Verde Islands. Overall, water mass mixing derived from εNd is best visible at the Strait of Gibraltar, where MOW enters the Atlantic Ocean. Most of the sub-thermocline εNd varies within a small range with poor water mass distinction due to the dominance of North Atlantic Deep Water. High surface [Nd] associated with more negative εNd is interpreted to be the result of dust deposition and dissolution. Local [Nd] maxima with no apparent change in εNd compared to ambient seawater, observed within a zone of minimum oxygen concentration (OMZ) at ∼500 m depth off Mauritania, suggest minor input of lithogenic Nd but a rather high contribution through desorption of previously scavenged Nd. That is, Saharan dust in this area has only a minor influence on the isotope composition of water below the uppermost surface layer. The low εNd values and elevated [Nd] within the BNL on the other hand indicate release from detrital material. Our new high-resolution dataset gives valuable insights into the Nd distribution near continental margins, influenced by high atmospheric inputs and changing oxygen conditions. We show how vertical and lateral processes overlap to produce the observed Nd distribution, bringing us forward in understanding the Nd-paradox.

Neodymium isotope ratio measurements by LC-MC-ICPMS for nuclear applications: investigation of isotopic fractionation and mass bias correction

The causes of isotope ratio drifts observed in LC-MC-ICPMS experiments could be explained by both mass dependent isotopic fractionation on the chromatographic column and distinct time lags between amplifier responses of the Faraday cup configuration.

과거 해수 순환을 지시하는 해수기원 네오디뮴 동위원소 비 기록

해수의 순환이 지구표면의 열 분배 및 궤도함수주기와 천년주기의 기후변화와 밀접한 관계가 있음이 알려지면서 과거 해수의 흐름을 지시할 수 있는 지시자의 개발이 관심을 끌고 있다. 이 논평에서는 해수 자생성 네오디뮴 동위원소 비를 해수순환의 지시자로 활용하는 원리와 분석방법 그리고 두 가지 적용사례를 소개한다. 먼저 지난 빙하기-간빙기와 아빙기-아간빙기에 걸쳐 북대서양심층수 세기의 변화를 명확히 볼 수 있는 예를 소개한다. 다음으로는 북극해에서 담수의 유입과 해수순환을 재구성한 예를 보인다. Proxies for paleo-circulation are drawing much interest with the recognition that ocean circulation plays an important part in the redistribution of heat and climate change on orbital and millennial timescales. In this review, we will introduce how neodymium isotope ratios of the authigenic fraction of marine sediments can be used as a proxy for ocean circulation along with analytical methods and two case studies. The first case study shows how the North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW) has varied over the glacial-interglacial and stadial-interstadial periods. The second case study shows how the freshwater budget and water circulation within the Arctic Ocean can be reconstructed for the last glacial period.

Application of neodymium isotope ratio measurements for the origin assessment of uranium ore concentrates

A novel procedure has been developed for the measurement of 143Nd/144Nd isotope ratio in various uranium-bearing materials, such as uranium ores and ore concentrates (UOC) in order to evaluate the usefulness and applicability of variations of 143Nd/144Nd isotope ratio for provenance assessment in nuclear forensics.Neodymium was separated and pre-concentrated by extraction chromatography and then the isotope ratios were measured by multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS). The method was validated by the measurement of standard reference materials (La Jolla, JB-2 and BCR-2) and the applicability of the procedure was demonstrated by the analysis of uranium samples of world-wide origin. The investigated samples show distinct 143Nd/144Nd ratio depending on the ore type, deposit age and Sm/Nd ratio. Together with other characteristics of the material in question, the Nd isotope ratio is a promising signature for nuclear forensics and suggests being indicative of the source material, the uranium ore.

Non-chondritic sulphur isotope composition of the terrestrial mantle

Core-mantle differentiation is the largest event experienced by a growing planet during its early history. Terrestrial core segregation imprinted the residual mantle composition by scavenging siderophile (iron-loving) elements such as tungsten, cobalt and sulphur. Cosmochemical constraints suggest that about 97% of Earth's sulphur should at present reside in the core, which implies that the residual silicate mantle should exhibit fractionated (34)S/(32)S ratios according to the relevant metal-silicate partition coefficients, together with fractionated siderophile element abundances. However, Earth's mantle has long been thought to be both homogeneous and chondritic for (34)S/(32)S, similar to Canyon Diablo troilite, as it is for most siderophile elements. This belief was consistent with a mantle sulphur budget dominated by late-accreted chondritic components. Here we show that the mantle, as sampled by mid-ocean ridge basalts from the south Atlantic ridge, displays heterogeneous (34)S/(32)S ratios, directly correlated to the strontium and neodymium isotope ratios (87)Sr/(86)Sr and (143)Nd/(144)Nd. These isotope trends are compatible with binary mixing between a low-(34)S/(32)S ambient mantle and a high-(34)S/(32)S recycled component that we infer to be subducted sediments. The depleted end-member is characterized by a significantly negative δ(34)S of -1.28 ± 0.33‰ that cannot reach a chondritic value even when surface sulphur (from continents, altered oceanic crust, sediments and oceans) is added. Such a non-chondritic (34)S/(32)S ratio for the silicate Earth could be accounted for by a core-mantle differentiation record in which the core has a (34)S/(32)S ratio slightly higher than that of chondrites (δ(34)S = +0.07‰). Despite evidence for late-veneer addition of siderophile elements (and therefore sulphur) after core formation, our results imply that the mantle sulphur budget retains fingerprints of core-mantle differentiation.

Sulphur from heaven and hell

Fingerprints of sulphur isotopes in rocks from the ridge beneath the Atlantic Ocean suggest that a substantial fraction of sulphur at Earth's surface is left over from the formation of the planet's core. See Letter p.208 The differentiation of early Earth's subsurface material into core and mantle layers should be reflected in the residual mantle composition, as most of the iron-loving elements, presumably including sulphur, would have been scavenged by the liquid core. However, previous analyses of Earth's mantle have identified stable sulphur isotope ratios resembling those seen in chondritic meteorites, perhaps the result of a 'late veneer' meteoritic origin for mantle material. But here Jabrane Labidi et al. provide evidence that the mantle displays heterogeneous sulphur isotope ratios directly correlated to strontium and neodymium isotope ratios. The authors conclude that these results can be reconciled by fractionation during core-mantle differentiation.

Difference in the stable isotopic fractionations of Ce, Nd, and Sm during adsorption on iron and manganese oxides and its interpretation based on their local structures

Many elements have become targets for studies of stable isotopic fractionation with the development of various analytical techniques. Although several chemical factors that control the isotopic fractionation of heavy elements have been proposed, it remains controversial which properties are most important for the isotopic fractionation of elements. In this study, the stable isotopic fractionation of neodymium (Nd) and samarium (Sm) during adsorption on ferrihydrite and δ-MnO2 was examined. This examination was combined with speciation analyses of these ions adsorbed on the solid phases by extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy. Neodymium isotope ratios for Nd on ferrihydrite and δ-MnO2 systems were, on average, 0.166‰ and 0.410‰ heavier than those of the liquid phase, which correspond to mean isotopic fractionation factors between the liquid and solid phases (αLq–So) of Nd on ferrihydrite and δ-MnO2 of 0.999834 (2σ=±0.000048) and 0.999590 (2σ=±0.000106), respectively. Similarly, averaged Sm isotope ratios on ferrihydrite and δ-MnO2 were 0.206‰ and 0.424‰ heavier than those of the liquid phase and the corresponding αLq–So values were 0.999794 (±0.000041) and 0.999576 (±0.000134), respectively. These results indicate that the directions of isotopic fractionation in the Nd and Sm systems are in contrast with that recently found for Ce(III) systems despite the similar chemical characteristics of rare earth elements.EXAFS analyses suggest that the bond length of the first coordination sphere (REE–O bond) of Nd and Sm adsorbed on δ-MnO2 is shorter than that of their aqua ions, although this was not clear for the ferrihydrite systems. The shorter bond length relative to the aqua ion is indicative of a stronger bond, suggesting that the equilibrium isotopic fractionation for the Nd and Sm systems can be governed by bond strength as has often been discussed for isotopic fractionation in solid–water adsorption systems. Meanwhile, EXAFS analyses of the Ce/ferrihydrite system showed a distorted structure for the first coordination sphere that was not observed for Ce3+ aqua ions. Such distortion was also observed for La adsorption on ferrihydrite and δ-MnO2. In addition, previous studies have suggested a high stability of the hydrated state for La and Ce in terms of Gibbs free energy change. Thus, we suggest here that the difference in the stable isotopic fractionation for Ce (and predicted for La) vs. Nd and Sm can be explained by (i) the shorter bond lengths of adsorbed relative to dissolved species for Nd and Sm and (ii) the distorted structure of adsorbed Ce (and La) species and high stability of the aqua Ce ion.

Microscale neodymium distribution in sedimentary planktonic foraminiferal tests and associated mineral phases

Neodymium isotopic ratios recorded in calcareous foraminiferal tests (shells) and associated authigenic minerals were used to trace past water masses, although the origin of preserved Nd signals is still a matter of debate. We determined, for the first time, the microscale Nd distribution in two planktonic foraminifera species (Globigerinoides ruber and Neogloboquadrina dutertrei) and coexisting authigenic minerals from two selected time slices (15.6 and 129kyr) of a marine sediment core in the Panama Basin. Elemental mapping of Nd, Ca, Fe, Mn, and Si was performed using NanoSIMS ion probe and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) on uncleaned tests together with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imagery. EPMA and SEM images revealed the presence of Fe-rich framboidal minerals inside test pores and inner chambers, particularly in the old samples. The young sample presented Fe- and Mn-rich patches on the inner test wall. The Nd intensity in Fe–Mn-rich patches and in some framboids was much higher than in foraminiferal calcite, where the Nd distribution was randomly heterogeneous with no systematic features such as an ontogenic Nd-rich layer or species-specific differences. The relationship between Nd, Fe, and Mn confirmed a significant role of Fe–Mn oxides as a Nd carrier. The high Nd enrichment in some framboids could be explained by Nd adsorption onto oxidized surface of Fe sulfides particles rather than direct incorporation. Since the authigenic precipitates are major Nd carrier phases, the Nd isotopic signals in sedimentary foraminiferal tests likely reflect bottom/pore water values rather than surface water ones.

Deglacial variability of Antarctic Intermediate Water penetration into the North Atlantic from authigenic neodymium isotope ratios

Understanding intermediate water circulation across the last deglacial is critical in assessing the role of oceanic heat transport associated with Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation variability across abrupt climate events. However, the links between intermediate water circulation and abrupt climate events such as the Younger Dryas (YD) and Heinrich Event 1 (H1) are still poorly constrained. Here, we reconstruct changes in Antarctic Intermediate Water (AAIW) circulation in the subtropical North Atlantic over the past 25 kyr by measuring authigenic neodymium isotope ratios in sediments from two sites in the Florida Straits. Our authigenic Nd isotope records suggest that there was little to no penetration of AAIW into the subtropical North Atlantic during the YD and H1. Variations in the northward penetration of AAIW into the Florida Straits documented in our authigenic Nd isotope record are synchronous with multiple climatic archives, including the Greenland ice core δ18O record, the Cariaco Basin atmosphere Δ14C reconstruction, the Bermuda Rise sedimentary Pa/Th record, and nutrient and stable isotope data from the tropical North Atlantic. The synchroneity of our Nd records with multiple climatic archives suggests a tight connection between AAIW variability and high‐latitude North Atlantic climate change.

GEOTRACES intercalibration of neodymium isotopes and rare earth element concentrations in seawater and suspended particles. Part 2: Systematic tests and baseline profiles

The large‐scale collection of seawater samples and analysis of trace elements and isotopes by the GEOTRACES program call for careful comparison and examination of different methods for sample collection, treatment, and processing. Here we report results for different filter types, sampling bottles, and preconcentration methods for Nd from seawater. Neodymium isotope ratios and concentrations of unfiltered and filtered seawater using five different filter types agree within 43‐56 ppm (2σ standard deviation, SD) and 10% (relative 2σ standard deviation), respectively. The filter choice therefore has no effect on the measured parameters at the studied locations in the western North Atlantic. This could well be different, however, in areas of high particle concentrations. We therefore strongly recommend filtration of seawater for Nd isotope and rare earth element concentration measurements. Dissolved 143Nd/144Nd ratios of seawater collected with Niskin bottles with internal nylon‐coated stainless steel springs and trace metal‐clean GO‐FLO bottles were the same within 43 ppm (2σ SD). The Niskin bottles used here are therefore suitable for the collection of seawater samples for the analysis of 143Nd/144Nd ratios. Iron coprecipitation and complexation with HDEHP/H2MEHP using C18 cartridges for the preconcentration of Nd from seawater yielded the same 143Nd/144Nd ratios within 37 ppm (2σ SD). Both methods are therefore appropriate. Water column profiles of 143Nd/144Nd ratios and Nd concentrations are reported for the North Atlantic (BATS) and North Pacific (SAFe), and profiles of all rare earth elements are reported for BATS. These baseline profiles are recommended for continued quality control and intercalibration by future GEOTRACES cruises.