Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

Seasonally-laminated diatom-rich sediments from Dumont
d’Urville Trough, East Antarctic Margin: Late Holocene
Neoglacial sea-ice conditions

Maddison, EJ; Pike, J; Dunbar, R

Authors

EJ Maddison

J Pike

R Dunbar



Contributors

Abstract

Laminated sediments are unique archives of palaeoenvironmental and palaeoceanographic conditions, recording changes on seasonal and interannual timescales. Diatom-rich laminated marine sediments are examined from Dumont d’Urville Trough, East Antarctic Margin, to determine changes in environmental conditions on the continental shelf from 1136 to 3122 cal. yr BP. Scanning electron microscope backscattered electron imagery (BSEI) and secondary electron imagery are used to analyse diatom assemblages from laminations and to determine interlamina relationships. Diatom observations are quantified with conventional assemblage counts. Laminae are primarily classified according to visually dominant species identified in BSEI and, secondarily, by terrigenous content. Nine lamina types are identified and are characterized by: Hyalochaete Chaetoceros spp. resting spores (CRS); CRS and Fragilariopsis spp.; Fragilariopsis spp.; Corethron pennatum and Rhizosolenia spp.; C. pennatum; Rhizosolenia spp.; mixed diatom assemblage; Stellarima microtrias resting spores (RS), Porosira glacialis RS and Coscinodiscus bouvet; and P. glacialis RS. Formation of each lamina type is controlled by seasonal changes in sea ice cover, nutrient levels and water column stability. Quantitative diatom assemblage analysis revealed that each lamina type is dominated by CRS and Fragilariopsis sea ice taxa, indicating that sea ice cover was extensive and persistent in the late Holocene. However the lamina types indicate that the sea ice regime was not consistent throughout this period, notably that a relatively warmer period, ~3100 to 2500 cal. yr BP, was followed by cooling which resulted in an increase in year round sea ice by ~1100 cal. yr BP.

Citation

Neoglacial sea-ice conditions. Holocene, 22(8), 857-875. https://doi.org/10.1177/0959683611434223

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date 2012
Deposit Date Feb 8, 2012
Journal Holocene
Print ISSN 0959-6836
Electronic ISSN 1477-0911
Publisher SAGE Publications
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 22
Issue 8
Pages 857-875
DOI https://doi.org/10.1177/0959683611434223
Keywords diatoms, Dumont d’Urville Trough, East Antarctica, laminated sediments, late Holocene, sea ice
Public URL https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1483944
Publisher URL http://hol.sagepub.com/content/22/8/857