Centennial-Scale Elemental and Isotopic Variability in the Tropical and Subtropical North Atlantic Ocean

Abstract

The marine geochemistry of the North Atlantic Ocean varies on decadal to centennial time scales, a consequence of natural and anthropogenic forcing. Surface corals provide a useful geochemical archive to quantify past mixed layer variability, and this study presents elemental and isotopic records from the tropical and subtropical North Atlantic. A consistent method for stable lead isotope analysis via multiple collector ICP-MS is first presented. This method is then applied to western North Atlantic surface corals and seawater, constraining historical elemental and isotopic lead variability. Six stable lead isotope profiles are developed from the western and eastern North Atlantic, demonstrating consistent mixed layer, thermocline, and deep water variability. Finally, coralline trace element records, including cadmium, barium, and lead, are presented from the Cariaco Basin.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 2002
Accession Number
ADA406022

Entities

People

  • Matthew K. Reuer

Organizations

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Birds
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Climate Change
  • Earth (Planet)
  • Ecology
  • Geochemistry
  • Geography
  • Isotopes
  • Marine Biology
  • Marine Chemistry
  • Measurement
  • Oceanography
  • Oceans
  • Ridges
  • Sea Water
  • Topography

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Coastal Oceanography
  • Oceanography.