scholarly journals Absolute seasonal temperature estimates from clumped isotopes in bivalve shells suggest warm and variable greenhouse climate

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Niels J. de Winter ◽  
Inigo A. Müller ◽  
Ilja J. Kocken ◽  
Nicolas Thibault ◽  
Clemens V. Ullmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Variability ◽  
Sea Water ◽  
Isotope Composition ◽  
Sea Surface ◽  
Mean Annual Temperature ◽  
Seasonal Temperature ◽  
Sea Surface Temperatures ◽  
Surface Temperatures ◽  
Temperature Reconstructions ◽  
Bivalve Shells

AbstractSeasonal variability in sea surface temperatures plays a fundamental role in climate dynamics and species distribution. Seasonal bias can also severely compromise the accuracy of mean annual temperature reconstructions. It is therefore essential to better understand seasonal variability in climates of the past. Many reconstructions of climate in deep time neglect this issue and rely on controversial assumptions, such as estimates of sea water oxygen isotope composition. Here we present absolute seasonal temperature reconstructions based on clumped isotope measurements in bivalve shells which, critically, do not rely on these assumptions. We reconstruct highly precise monthly sea surface temperatures at around 50 °N latitude from individual oyster and rudist shells of the Campanian greenhouse period about 78 million years ago, when the seasonal range at 50 °N comprised 15 to 27 °C. In agreement with fully coupled climate model simulations, we find that greenhouse climates outside the tropics were warmer and more seasonal than previously thought. We conclude that seasonal bias and assumptions about seawater composition can distort temperature reconstructions and our understanding of past greenhouse climates.

scholarly journals First absolute seasonal temperature estimates for greenhouse climate from clumped isotopes in bivalve shells

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niels de Winter ◽  
Inigo Müller ◽  
Ilja Kocken ◽  
Nicolas Thibault ◽  
Clemens Ullmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Variability ◽  
Climate Model ◽  
Sea Water ◽  
Isotope Composition ◽  
Seasonal Temperature ◽  
Deep Time ◽  
Temperature Reconstructions ◽  
Climate Model Simulations ◽  
Clumped Isotope ◽  
Bivalve Shells

Abstract Seasonal variability in sea surface temperatures plays a fundamental role in climate dynamics and species distribution. As such, it is essential to better understand seasonal variability in climates of the past. Previous reconstructions of seasonality in deep time are poorly constrained, relying on controversial assumptions such as estimates of seawater composition and neglect seasonal bias. This work presents the first absolute seasonal temperature reconstructions based on clumped isotope measurements in bivalve shells which, critically, do not rely on these assumptions. Our new approach reconstructs highly precise higher mid-latitude (~50°N) monthly temperatures from individual oyster and rudist shells of the Campanian (78 million years ago) greenhouse period (15—27 °C seasonal range). Our analysis demonstrates that seasonal bias and previous assumptions about sea water oxygen isotope composition can lead to highly inaccurate temperature reconstructions, distorting our understanding of the behavior of greenhouse climates and our ability to model them. Our results agree with fully coupled climate model simulations showing greenhouse climates outside the tropics were warmer and more seasonal than previously thought.

scholarly journals First absolute seasonal temperature estimates for greenhouse climate from clumped isotopes in bivalve shells

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niels de Winter ◽  
Inigo Müller ◽  
Ilja Kocken ◽  
Nicolas Thibault ◽  
Clemens Vinzenz Ullmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Variability ◽  
Climate Model ◽  
Sea Water ◽  
Isotope Composition ◽  
Seasonal Temperature ◽  
Deep Time ◽  
Temperature Reconstructions ◽  
Climate Model Simulations ◽  
Clumped Isotope ◽  
Bivalve Shells

Abstract The seasonal variability of sea surface temperatures plays a fundamental role in climate dynamics and species distribution. As such, it is essential to better understand seasonal variability in warm climates of the past. Previous reconstructions of seasonality in deep time are relatively unconstrained, relying on unsupported assumptions such as estimates of seawater composition and negligible seasonal bias. This work presents the first absolute seasonal temperature reconstructions based on clumped isotope measurements in bivalve shells which, critically, do not rely on these assumptions. Our new approach reconstructs highly precise mid-latitude (~50°N) monthly temperatures from individual oyster and rudist shells of the Campanian (78 million years ago) greenhouse period (15—27 °C seasonal range). Our analysis demonstrates that seasonal bias and previous assumptions about sea water oxygen isotope composition can lead to highly inaccurate temperature reconstructions, distorting our understanding of the behavior of greenhouse climates and our ability to model them. Our results agree remarkably well with fully coupled climate model simulations showing greenhouse climates outside the tropics were warmer with higher seasonality than previously thought.

scholarly journals First absolute seasonal temperature estimates for greenhouse climate from clumped isotopes in bivalve shells

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niels de Winter ◽  
Inigo Müller ◽  
Ilja Kocken ◽  
Nicolas Thibault ◽  
Clemens Vinzenz Ullmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Variability ◽  
Climate Model ◽  
Sea Water ◽  
Isotope Composition ◽  
Seasonal Temperature ◽  
Deep Time ◽  
Temperature Reconstructions ◽  
Climate Model Simulations ◽  
Clumped Isotope ◽  
Bivalve Shells

Abstract The seasonal variability of sea surface temperatures plays a fundamental role in climate dynamics and species distribution. As such, it is essential to better understand seasonal variability in warm climates of the past. Previous reconstructions of seasonality in deep time are relatively unconstrained, relying on unsupported assumptions such as estimates of seawater composition and negligible seasonal bias. This work presents the first absolute seasonal temperature reconstructions based on clumped isotope measurements in bivalve shells which, critically, do not rely on these assumptions. Our new approach reconstructs highly precise mid-latitude (~50°N) monthly temperatures from individual oyster and rudist shells of the Campanian (78 million years ago) greenhouse period (15—27 °C seasonal range). Our analysis demonstrates that seasonal bias and previous assumptions about sea water oxygen isotope composition can lead to highly inaccurate temperature reconstructions, distorting our understanding of the behavior of greenhouse climates and our ability to model them. Our results agree remarkably well with fully coupled climate model simulations showing greenhouse climates outside the tropics were warmer with higher seasonality than previously thought.

scholarly journals A spatiotemporal reconstruction of sea-surface temperatures in the North Atlantic during Dansgaard–Oeschger events 5–8

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 901-922 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mari F. Jensen ◽  
Aleksi Nummelin ◽  
Søren B. Nielsen ◽  
Henrik Sadatzki ◽  
Evangeline Sessford ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Temperature ◽  
Sea Surface Temperature ◽  
North Atlantic ◽  
General Circulation ◽  
Sea Surface ◽  
Reconstruction Method ◽  
Sea Surface Temperatures ◽  
Proxy Data ◽  
Surface Temperatures ◽  
Temperature Reconstructions

Abstract. Here, we establish a spatiotemporal evolution of the sea-surface temperatures in the North Atlantic over Dansgaard–Oeschger (DO) events 5–8 (approximately 30–40 kyr) using the proxy surrogate reconstruction method. Proxy data suggest a large variability in North Atlantic sea-surface temperatures during the DO events of the last glacial period. However, proxy data availability is limited and cannot provide a full spatial picture of the oceanic changes. Therefore, we combine fully coupled, general circulation model simulations with planktic foraminifera based sea-surface temperature reconstructions to obtain a broader spatial picture of the ocean state during DO events 5–8. The resulting spatial sea-surface temperature patterns agree over a number of different general circulation models and simulations. We find that sea-surface temperature variability over the DO events is characterized by colder conditions in the subpolar North Atlantic during stadials than during interstadials, and the variability is linked to changes in the Atlantic Meridional Overturning circulation and in the sea-ice cover. Forced simulations are needed to capture the strength of the temperature variability and to reconstruct the variability in other climatic records not directly linked to the sea-surface temperature reconstructions. This is the first time the proxy surrogate reconstruction method has been applied to oceanic variability during MIS3. Our results remain robust, even when age uncertainties of proxy data, the number of available temperature reconstructions, and different climate models are considered. However, we also highlight shortcomings of the methodology that should be addressed in future implementations.

Can Marine Cloud Brightening Reduce Sea-Surface Temperatures to Moderate Extreme Hurricanes and Typhoons?

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Salter SH ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Marine Boundary Layer ◽  
Sea Water ◽  
Cloud Condensation Nuclei ◽  
Sea Surface ◽  
Sea Surface Temperatures ◽  
Marine Stratocumulus ◽  
Surface Temperatures ◽  
Stratocumulus Clouds ◽  
Cloud Tops

Elevated sea-surface temperatures are a necessary but not sufficient requirement for the formation of hurricanes and typhoons. This paper suggests a way to exploit this. Twomey [1] showed that cloud reflectivity depends on the size-distribution of cloud drops, with a large number of small drops reflecting more than a smaller number of larger ones. Mid-ocean air is cleaner than over land. Latham [2-4] suggested that reflectivity of marine stratocumulus clouds could be increased by releasing a submicron spray of filtered sea water into the bottom of the marine boundary layer. The salt residues left after evaporation would be mixed by turbulence through the full depth of the marine boundary layer and would be ideal cloud condensation nuclei. Those that reached a height where the air had a super-saturation above 100% by enough to get over the peak of the Köhler curve would produce an increased number of cloud drops and so trigger the Twomey effect. The increase in reflection from cloud tops back out to space would cool sea-surface water. We are not trying to increase cloud cover; we just want to make existing cloud tops whiter. The spray could be produced by wind-driven vessels cruising chosen ocean regions. The engineering design of sea-going hardware is well advanced. This paper suggests a way to calculate spray quantities and the number and cost of spray vessels to achieve a hurricane reduction to a more acceptable intensity. It is intended to show the shape of a possible calculation with credible if not exact assumptions. Anyone with better assumptions should be able to follow the process.

Revised Southern Ocean sea surface temperatures over the last 180 ka

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Chandler ◽  
Petra Langebroek
Keyword(s):  
Southern Ocean ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Climate Model ◽  
Ice Sheet ◽  
Sea Surface ◽  
Sea Surface Temperatures ◽  
Last Interglacial ◽  
Antarctic Ice Sheet ◽  
Surface Temperatures ◽  
Temperature Reconstructions

<p>Proxy records and climate models suggest that the Last Interglacial (LIG, ~130 to 115 thousand years before present) was characterised by high-latitude air and sea surface temperatures (SSTs) slightly warmer than present, and by mean global sea level a few metres higher. Therefore, the LIG is widely used as an analogue for near-future oceanographic/climatic conditions. Of particular interest is the Antarctic Ice Sheet’s contribution to rapid sea level rise and to Southern Ocean surface freshening, in response to warming. In the Southern Ocean, existing LIG temperature reconstructions suffer from very high variance amongst a low number of individual records. Recent syntheses have focused on the LIG climatic optimum, but conditions during the penultimate glacial are also important for forcing transient climate or Antarctic Ice Sheet simulations. Here we use databases of modern core-top sediments to evaluate the strengths of SST proxies available in the Southern Ocean, and consider their likely sources of bias and variance. By selecting only those paleo-temperature reconstructions which we believe are reliable in this region, we then compile a Southern Ocean SST synthesis covering the penultimate glacial and the LIG. This longer temperature time series can be used as a basis for LIG ice sheet simulations or for climate model development.  </p>

scholarly journals A spatio-temporal reconstruction of sea-surface temperatures in the North Atlantic during Dansgaard-Oeschger events 5–8

2017 ◽  
pp. 1-36
Author(s):  
Mari F. Jensen ◽  
Aleksi Nummelin ◽  
Søren B. Nielsen ◽  
Henrik Sadatzki ◽  
Evangeline Sessford ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Temperature ◽  
Sea Surface Temperature ◽  
North Atlantic ◽  
General Circulation ◽  
Sea Surface ◽  
Sea Surface Temperatures ◽  
Proxy Data ◽  
The North ◽  
Surface Temperatures ◽  
Temperature Reconstructions

Here we establish a spatio-temporal evolution of the sea-surface temperatures in the North Atlantic over Dansgaard Oeschger (DO) events 5–8 (c. 30–40 ka) using the proxy surrogate reconstruction method. Proxy data suggest a large variability in North Atlantic sea-surface temperatures during the DO-events of the last glacial period. However, proxy data availability is limited and cannot provide a full spatial picture of the oceanic changes. Therefore, we combine fully coupled, general circulation model simulations with planktic foraminifera based sea-surface temperature reconstructions to obtain a broader spatial picture of the ocean state during DO-events 5–8. The resulting spatial sea-surface temperature patterns agree over a number of different general circulation models and simulations. We find that sea-surface temperature variability over the DO-events is characterized by colder conditions in the subpolar North Atlantic during stadials than during interstadials, and the variability is linked to changes in the Atlantic Meridional Overturning circulation, and in the sea-ice cover. Forced simulations are needed to capture the strength of the temperature variability and to reconstruct the variability in other climatic records not directly linked to the sea-surface temperature reconstructions. Our results are robust to uncertainties in the age models of the proxy data, the number of available temperature reconstructions, and over a range of climate models.

scholarly journals Sub sea surface temperatures in the Polar North Atlantic during the Holocene: Planktic foraminiferal Mg/Ca temperature reconstructions

The Holocene ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steffen Aagaard-Sørensen ◽  
Katrine Husum ◽  
Morten Hald ◽  
Thomas Marchitto ◽  
Fred Godtliebsen
Keyword(s):  
North Atlantic ◽  
Sea Surface ◽  
Sea Surface Temperatures ◽  
The Holocene ◽  
Surface Temperatures ◽  
Temperature Reconstructions
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