Sea surface temperature variations in the western Mediterranean Sea over the last 20kyr: A dual-organic proxy (UK'37 and LDI) approach

• Published in: Paleoceanography and paleoclimatology Vol. 29; no. 2; p. 87
• Main Authors: Rodrigo-Gamiz, M, Martinez-Ruiz, F, Rampen, S W, Schouten, S, Sinninghe Damste, J S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-02-2014
• Subjects: Algae; Climate change; Holocene; Nutrient availability; Ocean temperature; Paleoclimate science; Sea surface temperature; Seasons
• ISSN: 2572-4517; 2572-4525
• DOI: 10.1002/2013PA002466

A high-resolution sea surface temperature (SST) reconstruction of the western Mediterranean was accomplished using two independent, algae-based molecular organic proxies, i.e., the UK'37 index based on long-chain unsaturated ketones and the novel long-chain diol index (LDI) based on the relative abundances of C28 and C30 1,13- and 1,15-diols. Two marine records, from the western and eastern Alboran Sea basin, spanning the last 14 and 20kyr, respectively, were studied. Results from the surface sediments suggest that the two proxies presently reflect seasons with similar SST or simply annual mean SST. Both proxy records reveal the transition from the Last Glacial Maximum to the Holocene in the eastern Alboran Sea with an SST increase of approximately 7°C for UK'37 and 9°C for LDI. Minimum SSTs (10-12°C) are reached at the end of the Last Glacial Maximum and during the last Heinrich event with a subsequent rapid SST increase in LDI-SST toward the beginning of the Bölling period (20°C), while UK'37-SST remains constantly low (~12°C). The Bölling-Alleröd period is characterized by a rapid increase and subsequent decrease in UK'37-SST, while the LDI-SST decrease continuously. Short-term fluctuations in UK'37-SST are probably related to the availability of nutrients and seasonal changes. The Younger Dryas is recorded as a short cold interval followed by progressively warmer temperatures. During the Holocene, the general lower UK'37-derived temperature values in the eastern Alboran (by approximately 1.5-2°C) suggest a southeastward cold water migration by the western Alboran gyre and divergence in the haptophyte blooming season between both basins. Key Points High-resolution SST reconstruction is performed in the westernmost Mediterranean Two algae-based proxies show the temperature evolution for the last 20 kyr Derived SSTs suggest different growth seasons of alkenone and diol producers