Biomarker Distributions in (Sub)‐Arctic Surface Sediments and Their Potential for Sea Ice Reconstructions
Stein, Ruediger
Fahl, Kirsten
Sadatzki, Henrik
de Vernal, Anne
Xiao, Xiaotong
DOI: https://doi.org/10.23689/fidgeo-4382
Fahl, Kirsten; 1 Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research Bremerhaven Germany
Sadatzki, Henrik; 4 Department of Earth Science and Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research University of Bergen Bergen Norway
de Vernal, Anne; 6 Centre de rechereche en géochemie et géodynamique (Geotop) Université du Québec à Montréal Montréal Québec Canada
Xiao, Xiaotong; 7 Institute of Marine Organic Geochemistry Ocean University of China Qingdao China
Abstract
To evaluate the present sea ice changes in a longer‐term perspective, the knowledge of sea ice variability on preindustrial and geological time scales is essential. For the interpretation of proxy reconstructions it is necessary to understand the recent signals of different sea ice proxies from various regions. We present 260 new sediment surface samples collected in the (sub‐)Arctic Oceans that were analyzed for specific sea ice (IP25) and open‐water phytoplankton biomarkers (brassicasterol, dinosterol, and highly branched isoprenoid [HBI] III). This new biomarker data set was combined with 615 previously published biomarker surface samples into a pan‐Arctic database. The resulting pan‐Arctic biomarker and sea ice index (PIP25) database shows a spatial distribution correlating well with the diverse modern sea ice concentrations. We find correlations of PBIP25, PDIP25, and PIIIIP25 with spring and autumn sea ice concentrations. Similar correlations with modern sea ice concentrations are observed in Baffin Bay. However, the correlations of the PIP25 indices with modern sea ice concentrations differ in Fram Strait from those of the (sub‐)Arctic data set, which is likely caused by region‐specific differences in sea ice variability, nutrient availability, and other environmental conditions. The extended (sea ice) biomarker database strengthens the validity of biomarker sea ice reconstructions in different Arctic regions and shows how different sea ice proxies combined may resolve specific seasonal sea ice conditions.
Key Points:
IP25 provides information about modern sea ice cover on a (sub‐)Arctic‐wide scale. All PIP25 indices correlate well with spring and autumn sea ice concentrations on a (sub‐)Arctic‐wide scale. The combination of biomarker data and dinoflagellate cysts may yield an approach to reconstruct sea ice conditions during different seasons.