Direct link between iceberg melt and diatom productivity demonstrated in Mid-Pliocene Amundsen Sea interglacial sediments

Abstract ∼ 3.9 Ma) documents distinct intervals of IRD-rich diatomite, whereas the overall diatom abundance and concentration of bloom species is relatively low in the absence of visible IRD. Sand- and granule-sized IRD grains are documented fully encased within diatomite laminae, with some displaying soft-sediment micro-deformation formed by grains falling into soft diatom ooze. IRD-rich diatomite layers are often characterized by nearly monospecific assemblages of the pelagic diatom Thalassiothrix antarctica, indicating very high primary productivity as IRD grains fell. Diatom-filled fecal pellets with clusters of barite grains are also documented within some of these laminae, further indicating direct mass sinking of diatom mats. Melting icebergs release soluble nutrients along with IRD; thus the coincidence of IRD and bloom species in Amundsen Sea sediments provides compelling evidence that iceberg discharge and melting directly initiates enhanced diatom productivity in the Southern Ocean. These results may contribute to interpreting past WAIS history by providing another proxy for potential collapse events. Furthermore, we suggest that ice sheet collapse may more broadly enhance Southern Ocean diatom production, which in itself can contribute to increased carbon export, potentially attenuating or countering the warming that may have triggered the collapse.

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Direct link between iceberg melt and diatom productivity demonstrated in Mid-Pliocene Amundsen Sea interglacial sediments ; volume:43 ; number:2 ; year:2024 ; pages:269-282 ; extent:14 ; Journal of micropalaeontology ; 43, Heft 2 (2024), 269-282 (gesamt 14)

Contributors, Places and Time

• Creator: Furlong, Heather ; Scherer, Reed Paul

Further information

• DOI: 10.5194/jm-43-269-2024
• URN: urn:nbn:de:101:1-2408080431587.518002745982
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 14.08.2025, 10:54 AM CEST