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Antarctic Holocene Climate Change: A Benthic Foraminiferal Stable Isotope Record From Palmer Deep, Amelia E. Shevenell, James P. Kennett

Marine Science Faculty Publications

The first moderate‐ to high‐resolution Holocene marine stable isotope record from the nearshore Antarctic continental shelf (Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Hole 1098B) suggests sensitivity of the western Antarctic Peninsula hydrography to westerly wind strength and El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO)‐like climate variability. Despite proximity to corrosive Antarctic water masses, sufficient CaCO₃ in Palmer Deep sediments exists to provide a high‐quality stable isotopic record (especially in the late Holocene). Coherence of benthic foraminifer δ¹⁸O, δ¹³C, sedimentologic, and CaCO₃ fluctuations suggests that rapid (years) Palmer Deep bottom water temperature fluctuations of 1°–1.5°C are associated with competitive interactions …