The last 100 000 years in the western Mediterranean: sea surface water and frontal dynamics as revealed by coccolithophores

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• 作者：Flores ; J.A. ; Sierro ; F.J. ; Frances ; G.
• 刊名：Oceanographic Literature Review
• 出版年：1997
• 出版时间：July, 1997
• 年：1997
• 卷：44
• 期：7
• 页码：704
• 全文大小：109 K

文摘

A quantitative analysis was carried out on coccolith assemblages from two Pleistocene cores. The reversal in dominance between Gephyrocapsa muellerae and Emiliania huxleyi was dated in both cores at ca. 73 ka. At about 47 ka, E. huxleyi shows a regular increase, whereas G. muellerae progressively decreases in abundance. The production of coccolithophores is demonstrated to be higher during warm periods. Maxima in coccolith concentrations coincide with highstand episodes, probably as a result of the intensification of the Atlantic flux into the Mediterranean across the Gibraltar Strait. During cold periods, the western Mediterranean front underwent a reduction in activity, probably due to an increase in the saline and/or thermal gradients between the superficial waters, and intermediate waters in the Liguro Provencal basin.