Climate and ocean dynamics and the lead isotopic records in Pacific ferromanganese crusts

Science
By: , and 

Links

Abstract

As hydrogenous iron-manganese crusts grow, at rates of millimeters per million years, they record changes in the lead isotopic composition of ambient seawater. Time-resolved lead isotopic data for cut slabs of two central Pacific iron-manganese crusts that have been growing since about 50 million years ago were measured in situ by laser ablation, multiple-collector, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The lead isotopic compositions have remained remarkably uniform over the past 30 million years, but the record of small variations corresponds with other paleoceanographic indicators of climate change, including weathering and glaciation. This implies that despite the short residence time of lead in the oceans, global mechanisms may influence lead isotopic compositions in the central Pacific, far from continental inputs, because of changes in weathering, ocean circulation, and degree of mixing. Thus lead isotopic data could be used to probe climate-driven changes in ocean circulation through time.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Climate and ocean dynamics and the lead isotopic records in Pacific ferromanganese crusts
Series title Science
DOI 10.1126/science.277.5328.913
Volume 277
Issue 5328
Year Published 1997
Language English
Publisher AAAS
Contributing office(s) Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
Description 6 p.
First page 913
Last page 918
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details