Linking the 8.2 ka event and its freshwater forcing in the Labrador Sea

Abstract

The 8.2 ka event was the last deglacial abrupt climate event. A reduction in the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) attributed to the drainage of glacial Lake Agassiz may have caused the event, but the freshwater signature of Lake Agassiz discharge has yet to be identified in δ 18 O of foraminiferal calcite records from the Labrador Sea, calling into question the connection between freshwater discharge to the North Atlantic and AMOC strength. Using Mg/Ca‐paleothermometry, we demonstrate that ∼3°C of near‐surface ocean cooling masked an ∼1.0‰ decrease in western Labrador Sea δ 18 O of seawater concurrent with Lake Agassiz drainage. Comparison with North Atlantic δ 18 O of seawater records shows that the freshwater discharge was transported to regions of deep‐water formation where it could perturb AMOC and force the 8.2 ka event.