Surface ocean temperatures in the north-east Atlantic during the last 500 000 years: evidence from foraminiferal census data

摘要: Changes in North Atlantic sea surface temperature (SST) are regarded as a key element of the climate during Quaternary. However, there relatively few long-term records providing quantitative SST estimates from this region. Using planktic foraminiferal-derived SSTs together with changes on species level and iceberg-rafted debris, last 500 ka were studied. Pronounced changes, determined glacial–interglacial cycle, characterize most colder periods. Peak interglacial temperatures found for marine isotope stages (MIS) 1, 5e 11, latter two being warmest. The warm substages within MIS 7 9 marked by enhanced dissimilarity coefficients, indicating that obtained these times appear to be overestimated. This is corroborated differences assemblage, which show cold water components. It therefore concluded detailed analysis down crucial prerequisite better reconstructions SST.