TY - JOUR A1 - Kolling, Henriette M. A1 - Stein, Ruediger A1 - Fahl, Kirsten A1 - Sadatzki, Henrik A1 - de Vernal, Anne A1 - Xiao, Xiaotong T1 - Biomarker Distributions in (Sub)‐Arctic Surface Sediments and Their Potential for Sea Ice Reconstructions Y1 - 2020-09-29 VL - 21 IS - 10 JF - Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems DO - 10.23689/fidgeo-4382 N2 - 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. N2 - 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. UR - http://resolver.sub.uni-goettingen.de/purl?gldocs-11858/8728 ER -