Mid-Cretaceous (Albian–Santonian) sea surface temperature record of the tropical Atlantic Ocean

Abstract

Research Article| October 01, 2007 Mid-Cretaceous (Albian–Santonian) sea surface temperature record of the tropical Atlantic Ocean Astrid Forster; Astrid Forster 1Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), Department of Marine Biogeochemistry and Toxicology, P.O. Box 59, 1790 AB Den Burg, Texel, Netherlands Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Stefan Schouten; Stefan Schouten 1Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), Department of Marine Biogeochemistry and Toxicology, P.O. Box 59, 1790 AB Den Burg, Texel, Netherlands Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Marianne Baas; Marianne Baas 1Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), Department of Marine Biogeochemistry and Toxicology, P.O. Box 59, 1790 AB Den Burg, Texel, Netherlands Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Jaap S. Sinninghe Damsté Jaap S. Sinninghe Damsté 1Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), Department of Marine Biogeochemistry and Toxicology, P.O. Box 59, 1790 AB Den Burg, Texel, Netherlands Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (2007) 35 (10): 919–922. https://doi.org/10.1130/G23874A.1 Article history received: 12 Mar 2007 rev-recd: 23 May 2007 accepted: 25 May 2007 first online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share MailTo Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Astrid Forster, Stefan Schouten, Marianne Baas, Jaap S. Sinninghe Damsté; Mid-Cretaceous (Albian–Santonian) sea surface temperature record of the tropical Atlantic Ocean. Geology 2007;; 35 (10): 919–922. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G23874A.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Paleoclimate records of geologic time periods characterized by extreme global warmth such as the mid-Cretaceous are important for a better understanding of the Earth's climate system operating in an exceptionally warm mode. Here we applied an organic geochemical proxy (TEX86) on organic matter–rich Albian–Santonian sediments, recovered from Ocean Drilling Program Leg 207 Sites 1258 and 1259 on Demerara Rise, to reconstruct sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in the western equatorial Atlantic. Preceded by a stepwise Cenomanian warming trend (∼31–35 °C), the onset of the Cretaceous thermal maximum coincided here with the Cenomanian-Turonian boundary event. Once established, this extreme warm climate regime, characterized by averaged tropical SSTs close to 35 °C, lasted up to the Turonian-Coniacian transition. Two pronounced cooler intervals (∼2–3 °C) interrupt this otherwise remarkably stable record, providing the first δ18O independent evidence for middle Turonian cooling that previously has been attributed to glacioeustatic sea-level lowering. Coniacian SSTs decline stepwise, reaching a minimum in the Santonian (∼32–33 °C), where cooling is most pronounced, presumably concomitant with the first progressive opening of a deep-water passage through the equatorial Atlantic gateway. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.