Long chain alkenones in the Early Pliocene Sicilian sediments (Trubi Formation — Punta di Maiata section): Implications for the alkenone paleothermometry
The U k′ 37 record and coccolithophorid remains in sediments from the early Pliocene Sicilian Trubi Formation (Punta di Maiata) have been estimated to assess the possible influence of changes in the alkenone-producing coccolithophorids on the U k′ 37–temperature relationship. The samples were domina...
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Published in | Palaeogeography, palaeoclimatology, palaeoecology Vol. 308; no. 3; pp. 253 - 263 |
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Main Authors | , , , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
Elsevier B.V
01.08.2011
Elsevier |
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | The U
k′
37 record and coccolithophorid remains in sediments from the early Pliocene Sicilian Trubi Formation (Punta di Maiata) have been estimated to assess the possible influence of changes in the alkenone-producing coccolithophorids on the U
k′
37–temperature relationship. The samples were dominated by small
Reticulofenestra (
R. minuta and
R. minutula) and the C
37 and C
38 methyl and ethyl unsaturation ratios (U
k′
37, U
k
38Me and U
k
38Et) were similar to those found in modern populations (
E. huxleyi and
G. oceanica). Those results suggest that the Early Pliocene small Reticulofenetrids had a similar temperature sensitivity of U
k′
37 to that found in present day. These results support the application of the U
k′
37 modern calibrations to reconstruct SST at least back in the Pliocene.
► We have studied the coccolithophorid remains in sediments from the early Pliocene Sicilian Trubi Formation. ► Aim: to assess the influence of changes in the alkenone-producing coccolithophorids on the U
k′
37 –temperature relationship. ► The samples were dominated by small
Reticulofenestra (
R. minuta and
R. minutula). ► The C
37 and C
38 methyl and ethyl unsaturation ratios were similar to those in modern populations. ► Early Pliocene small Reticulofenetrids may have had a similar temperature sensitivity of U
k′
37 to that found in present day. |
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Bibliography: | ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 |
ISSN: | 0031-0182 1872-616X |
DOI: | 10.1016/j.palaeo.2011.03.017 |