Climate variability during the Medieval Climate Anomaly and Little Ice Age based on ostracod faunas and shell geochemistry from Biscayne Bay, Florida

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Abstract

An 800-year-long environmental history of Biscayne Bay, Florida, is reconstructed from ostracod faunal and shell geochemical (oxygen, carbon isotopes, Mg/Ca ratios) studies of sediment cores from three mudbanks in the central and southern parts of the bay. Using calibrations derived from analyses of modern Biscayne and Florida Bay ostracods, palaeosalinity oscillations associated with changes in precipitation were identified. These oscillations reflect multidecadal- and centennial-scale climate variability associated with the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation during the late Medieval Climate Anomaly (MCA) and the Little Ice Age (LIA). Evidence suggests wetter regional climate during the MCA and drier conditions during the LIA. In addition, twentieth century anthropogenic modifications to Everglades hydrology influenced bay circulation and/or processes controlling carbon isotopic composition.

Study Area

Publication type Book chapter
Publication Subtype Book Chapter
Title Climate variability during the Medieval Climate Anomaly and Little Ice Age based on ostracod faunas and shell geochemistry from Biscayne Bay, Florida
Subseries Developments in Quaternary Sciences
Chapter 14
DOI 10.1016/B978-0-444-53636-5.00014-7
Volume 17
Year Published 2012
Language English
Publisher Elsevier
Contributing office(s) Eastern Geology and Paleoclimate Science Center
Description 22 p.
Larger Work Type Book
Larger Work Subtype Monograph
Larger Work Title Ostracoda as proxies for quaternary climate change
First page 241
Last page 262
Country United States
State Florida
Other Geospatial Biscayne Bay
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
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