Origin of δ13C minimum events in thermocline and intermediate waters of the western South Atlantic

Stable carbon isotopic (delta C-13) minimum events have been widely described in marine archives recording the properties of thermocline and intermediate waters during glacial terminations. However, the mechanisms associated with these events remain ambiguous. Here we present three high temporal resolution deep-dwelling planktonic foraminifera delta C-13 records from the main thermocline and one benthic delta C-13 record from the modern core of Antarctic Intermediate Water (AAIW). Our sediment cores are distributed along the western South Atlantic from the equator to the subtropics, with the longest record spanning the last similar to 300 kyr. The results show that delta C-13 minimum events were pervasive features of the last three glacial terminations and Marine Isotope Stage 4/3 transition in the western South Atlantic. Two distinct mechanisms were responsible for the delta C-13 minima at the thermocline and intermediate depths of the Atlantic, respectively. We suggest that the delta C-13 minimum events at the thermocline were mostly driven by the thermodynamic ocean-atmosphere isotopic equilibration, which is supported by calculated delta C-13 of dissolved inorganic carbon in the subtropical western South Atlantic as well as by previously published model simulations. On the other hand, intermediate depths delta C-13 minimum events in the tropics were likely caused by the slowdown of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation and the associated accumulation of isotopically light carbon at mid and intermediate depths of the Atlantic Ocean. (C) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study presents high-resolution data of carbon isotopes in the Western South Atlantic, revealing the widespread occurrence of carbon isotope minimum events during glacial terminations and transitions. Different mechanisms were identified for the occurrence of carbon isotope minima at different depths in the Atlantic Ocean.