Calibration and application of B/Ca, Cd/Ca, and δ^(11)B in Neogloboquadrina pachyderma (sinistral) to constrain CO_2 uptake in the subpolar North Atlantic during the last deglaciation

Abstract

The North Atlantic and Norwegian Sea are prominent sinks of atmospheric CO_2 today, but their roles in the past remain poorly constrained. In this study, we attempt to use B/Ca and δ^(11)B ratios in the planktonic foraminifera Neogloboquadrina pachyderma (sinistral variety) to reconstruct subsurface water pH and pCO_2 changes in the polar North Atlantic during the last deglaciation. Comparison of core-top results with nearby hydrographic data shows that B/Ca in N. pachyderma (s) is mainly controlled by seawater B(OH)_4−/HCO_3− with a roughly constant partition coefficient (K_D = [B/Ca]_(CaCO_3) / [B(OH)_4−/HCO_3− (seawater)) of 1.48 ± 0.15 × 10^(−3) (2σ), and δ^(11)B in this species is offset below δ^(11)B of the borate in seawater by 3.38 ± 0.71‰ (2σ). These values represent our best estimates with the sparse available hydrographic data close to our core-tops. More culturing and sediment trap work is needed to improve our understanding of boron incorporation into N. pachyderma (s). Application of a constant K_D of 1.48 × 10^(−3) to high resolution N. pachyderma (s) B/Ca records from two adjacent cores off Iceland shows that subsurface pCO_2 at the habitat depth of N. pachyderma (s) (~50 m) generally followed the atmospheric CO_2 trend but with negative offsets of ~10–50 ppmv during 19–10 ka. These B/Ca-based reconstructions are supported by independent estimates from low-resolution δ^(11)B measurements in the same cores. We also calibrate and apply Cd/Ca in N. pachyderma (s) to reconstruct nutrient levels for the same down cores. Like today's North Atlantic, past subsurface pCO_2 variability off Iceland was significantly correlated with nutrient changes that might be linked to surface nutrient utilization and mixing within the upper water column. Because surface pCO_2 (at 0 m water depth) is always lower than at deeper depths and if the application of a constant KD is valid, our results suggest that the polar North Atlantic has remained a CO_2 sink during the calcification seasons of N. pachyderma (s) over the last deglaciation.

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