The Atlantic's role in ice age inception and termination: Assessing carbon storage and release with new Brazil Margin profiles from MIS 2 to MIS 6

冰川-间冰期二氧化碳循环的驱动因素仍然是古气候学领域最重要的未解决问题之一。 较低的大气二氧化碳水平对应于冰盖扩张，而二氧化碳水平上升是冰盖退缩的主要驱动力。 虽然长期以来一直认为海洋-大气交换调节CO2水平，但其基本机制仍然难以捉摸。 在末次盛冰期（LGM;约20，000年前），大西洋深处的分层程度比今天更高，这可能增加了深渊中的碳储存。 如果更早的冰川间隔具有类似的模式，这将表明分层是深海碳储存的基础，因此是冰川。最近的研究还表明，在最后一次冰消期，大西洋深层环流减缓，这可能导致海洋和大气表层的碳积累。 如果这种机制是冰盖退缩的关键驱动力，那么在过去14万年的每次冰川消退期间，都应该存在较弱的深层大西洋环流的证据。该项目的主要目标是利用来自西南大西洋多个岩心的数据，评估最后一个完整冰川周期期间海洋环流和碳储存的变化。该研究将使用水深约1500米至4000米的沉积物芯，评估：1）大西洋纬向翻转环流（AMOC）的强度，2）南大西洋的水柱分层，以及3）它们与海洋碳储存的关系。AMOC强度和水柱分层将通过分析底栖（底栖）有孔虫壳中的碳和氧同位素比值来重建。将通过分析过去14万年关键冰期和间冰期期间底栖有孔虫中的硼钙比（B/Ca）来评估碳储存。每个岩芯都将使用氧同位素地层学（古气候学领域的一种著名工具）进行年代测定，拟议的工作可能会通过创建跨越最后一个完整冰川周期的大西洋深部环流和碳储存的第一幅综合图片，改变我们对气候系统的理解。因此，这些结果将为了解长期大气二氧化碳变化的来源提供一个独特的框架。研究结果还应有助于更广泛的古气候界提供一个内部一致的深度样带的核心，可以使用超出目前项目的范围进行分析研究。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The driver of glacial-interglacial carbon dioxide (CO2) cycles remains one of the most important unresolved questions in the field of paleoclimatology. Lower atmospheric CO2 levels correspond to ice sheet expansion, while rising CO2 levels are a primary driver of ice sheet retreat. Although it has long been assumed that ocean-atmosphere exchange mediates CO2 levels, the underlying mechanisms have remained elusive. During the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM; ~20,000 years ago), the deep Atlantic was more stratified than today, which likely enhanced carbon storage in the abyss. If earlier glacial intervals were characterized by a similar pattern, it would suggest that stratification is fundamental to deep ocean carbon storage and therefore glaciations. Recent studies also suggest the deep Atlantic circulation slowed during the last deglaciation, which may result in carbon accumulation in the surface ocean and atmosphere. If this mechanism is a key driver of ice sheet retreat, then evidence for a weaker deep Atlantic circulation should exist during each deglaciation of the last 140,000 years. The primary goal of this project is to use data from multiple cores in the Southwest Atlantic to assess changes in ocean circulation and carbon storage during the last full glacial cycle. Using sediment cores from approximately 1500 m to 4000 m water depth, the research will assess: 1) the strength of the Atlantic's meridional overturning circulation (AMOC), 2) water column stratification in the South Atlantic, and 3) their relation to oceanic carbon storage. AMOC strength and water column stratification will be reconstructed by analyzing carbon and oxygen isotopic ratios in the shells of benthic (bottom dwelling) foraminifera. Carbon storage will be assessed by analyzing the boron to calcium ratio (B/Ca) in benthic foraminifera during key glacial and interglacial intervals of the last 140,000 years. Each core will be dated using oxygen isotope stratigraphy, a well-known tool in the field of paleoclimatology.The proposed work could transform our understanding of the climate system by creating the first integrated picture of deep Atlantic circulation and carbon storage spanning the last full glacial cycle. The results will therefore provide a unique framework for understanding the source of atmospheric CO2 variability over long timescales. The results should also be useful to the broader paleoclimate community by providing an internally consistent depth transect of cores that can be studied using analyses beyond the scope of the current project. The educational impact of the proposed work includes the participation of a graduate student and two undergraduate students at the University of Connecticut.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.