Articles | Volume 22, issue 18
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-4689-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-4689-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
16 Sep 2025
Research article |
| 16 Sep 2025
| 16 Sep 2025
Impact of chemical treatments on the molecular and stable carbon isotopic composition of sporomorphs
Yannick F. Bats
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Princetonlaan 8, 3584 CB Utrecht, the Netherlands
Klaas G. J. Nierop
Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Princetonlaan 8, 3584 CB Utrecht, the Netherlands
Alice Stuart-Lee
Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Princetonlaan 8, 3584 CB Utrecht, the Netherlands
Joost Frieling
Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Princetonlaan 8, 3584 CB Utrecht, the Netherlands
now at: Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, OX1 3AN, Oxford, UK
Linda van Roij
Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Princetonlaan 8, 3584 CB Utrecht, the Netherlands
Gert-Jan Reichart
Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Princetonlaan 8, 3584 CB Utrecht, the Netherlands
NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, 1797 SZ `t Horntje, the Netherlands
Appy Sluijs
Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Princetonlaan 8, 3584 CB Utrecht, the Netherlands
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Madleen Grohganz, Thomas M. Bury, Bregje van der Bolt, Gert-Jan Reichart, and Rick Hennekam
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-2223, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-2223, 2026
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for Climate of the Past (CP).
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We introduce a new deep learning tool for the quantitative detection of catastrophic tipping points in the Earth system and test its performance on existing Cenozoic proxy records. Using our deep learning method, we are able to corroborate the existence of previously detected critical transitions in the paleo records and successfully identify them as catastrophic tipping points. We provide a powerful new tool, easily adaptable for the detection of tipping points in a variety of Earth systems.
Cecile S. Hilgen, Rick Hennekam, Marcel T. J. van der Meer, Timme H. Donders, Gert-Jan Reichart, and Francesca Sangiorgi
J. Micropalaeontol., 45, 275–295, https://doi.org/10.5194/jm-45-275-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/jm-45-275-2026, 2026
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The Northwest European Shelf plays a key role in the global carbon cycle. To assess its past role, we want to reconstruct primary productivity using microfossils. By comparing surface sediment assemblages with sediment properties and modern environmental conditions, we found a good microfossil-based indicator for primary productivity. This indicator will be useful to reconstruct productivity in the past Northwest European Shelf.
Evert de Froe, Christian Mohn, Karline Soetaert, Anna-Selma van der Kaaden, Gert-Jan Reichart, Laurence H. De Clippele, Sandra R. Maier, and Dick van Oevelen
Ocean Sci., 22, 843–870, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-22-843-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-22-843-2026, 2026
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Cold-water corals are important reef-building animals in the deep sea and are distributed globally. Until now, scientists have been mapping and predicting where cold-water corals can be found using video transects and statistical models. This study provides the first process-based model in which corals are predicted based on ocean currents and food particle movement. The results show that resupply of food by tidal currents near the seafloor is crucial for predicting where corals can grow.
Ashley M. Morris, Sarah Lambart, Carlos A. Alvarez Zarikian, John M. Millett, Morgan T. Jones, Sverre Planke, Peter Betlem, Sayantani Chatterjee, Marialena Christopoulou, Eric C. Ferré, Irina Y. Filina, Joost Frieling, Reed P. Scherer, Natalia Varela, Weimu Xu, and Stacy L. Yager
Sci. Dril., 35, 21–37, https://doi.org/10.5194/sd-35-21-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/sd-35-21-2026, 2026
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Choosing samples from large sections of hard-rock cores often relies on preliminary chemical analyses, which can be limited and therefore misrepresentative of full chemical variability. This study adapts X-ray fluorescence core-scanning techniques for use on hard-rock basalt cores to outline a method that provides accurate chemical information in greater detail relative to traditional analytical methods. The presented workflow suggests significant contributions to new and legacy core research.
Guangnan Wu, Klaas G. J. Nierop, Bingjie Yang, Stefan Schouten, Gert-Jan Reichart, and Peter Kraal
Biogeosciences, 23, 995–1012, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-23-995-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-23-995-2026, 2026
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Estuaries store and process large amounts of carbon. In the Port of Rotterdam, we studied organic matter (OM) sources in sediments and showed how they influenced OM breakdown. We found that marine OM degraded faster than land-originated OM, and sediment perturbation could accelerate OM breakdown by introducing oxygen. Our findings highlight the impact of human disturbances on carbon storage in estuarine sediments, offering insights for the growing sediment reworking worldwide.
Daniel J. Lunt, Nicky M. Wright, Bram Vaes, Ulrich Salzmann, James W. B. Rae, Thomas Hickler, David K. Hutchinson, Julia Brugger, Jiang Zhu, Sebastian Steinig, A. Nele Meckler, Gordon N. Inglis, David Evans, Agatha M. de Boer, Bette L. Otto-Bliesner, Natalie Burls, Yurui Zhang, Appy Sluijs, Tammo Reichgelt, Igor Niezgodzki, Katrin Meissner, Jean-Baptiste Ladant, Fanni D. Kelemen, Matthew Huber, David Greenwood, Mattias Green, Flavia Boscolo-Galazzo, Mauel Tobias Blau, and Michiel Baatsen
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-6135, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-6135, 2026
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The early Eocene, about 50 million years ago, was a super-warm period of Earth's history, with high concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Here, we provide a framework and experimental design for climate modellers to carry out a coordinated project, simulating this period. This is the second phase of this project, and here we provide updated maps of the Earth's mountains and ocean floor, and vegetation, to enable more accurate modelling.
Anne L. Kruijt, Robin van Dijk, Olivier Sulpis, Luc Beaufort, Guillaume Lassus, Geert-Jan Brummer, A. Daniëlle van der Burg, Ben A. Cala, Yasmina Ourradi, Katja T. C. A. Peijnenburg, Matthew P. Humphreys, Sonia Chaabane, Appy Sluijs, and Jack J. Middelburg
Biogeosciences, 23, 531–563, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-23-531-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-23-531-2026, 2026
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We measured the three main types of plankton that produce calcium carbonate in the ocean, at the same time and location. While coccolithophores were the biggest contributors, we found that planktonic gastropods, not foraminifera, were the second largest contributor. This challenges the current view and improves our understanding of how these organisms influence oceans’ carbon cycling.
Virginia Sánchez Barranco, Nienke C. J. van de Loosdrecht, Furu Mienis, Jasper M. de Goeij, Rick Hennekam, Gert-Jan Reichart, Jan-Berend Stuut, and Lennart J. de Nooijer
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-4873, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-4873, 2025
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We studied how pollution from bays in Curaçao reaches nearby coral reefs and changes with seasons. By collecting suspended particulate matter at different locations during dry and wet seasons, we found that sheltered reefs receive more fine particles and pollutants, especially during rainy months, while exposed reefs are less affected. This shows that both location and seasonal rainfall determine reef vulnerability, highlighting the hidden impacts of human activity on these fragile ecosystems.
Peter K. Bijl, Kasia K. Śliwińska, Bella Duncan, Arnaud Huguet, Sebastian Naeher, Ronnakrit Rattanasriampaipong, Claudia Sosa-Montes de Oca, Alexandra Auderset, Melissa A. Berke, Bum Soo Kim, Nina Davtian, Tom Dunkley Jones, Desmond D. Eefting, Felix J. Elling, Pierrick Fenies, Gordon N. Inglis, Lauren O'Connor, Richard D. Pancost, Francien Peterse, Addison Rice, Appy Sluijs, Devika Varma, Wenjie Xiao, and Yi Ge Zhang
Biogeosciences, 22, 6465–6508, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-6465-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-6465-2025, 2025
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Many academic laboratories worldwide process environmental samples for analysis of membrane lipid molecules of archaea, for the reconstruction of past environmental conditions. However, the sample workup scheme involves many steps, each of which has a risk of contamination or bias, affecting the results. This paper reviews steps involved in sampling, extraction and analysis of lipids, interpretation and archiving of the data. This ensures reproducible, reusable, comparable and consistent data.
Mei Nelissen, Appy Sluijs, Debra A. Willard, and Henk Brinkhuis
J. Micropalaeontol., 44, 431–467, https://doi.org/10.5194/jm-44-431-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/jm-44-431-2025, 2025
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We studied a short-lived episode of major warming ~56 million years ago, often seen as a past analogue for modern climate change. We developed a scheme to correlate biological signals from this warming period across six sediment cores from the US East Coast. Based on the occurrences and distribution of organic remains of planktonic microfossils, we can correlate events in time, allowing detailed reconstructions of how climate and environments changed regionally during this extreme warming.
Yasmina Ourradi, Gert-Jan Reichart, Sonja van Leeuwen, and Matthew Humphreys
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-5050, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-5050, 2025
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We measured pH at high frequency for nearly a year at the Wadden Sea-North Sea interface. Biological activity mainly controls daily pH variations, while water exchange affects alkalinity. Dissolved inorganic carbon is influenced by both processes. Our research shows the Wadden Sea releases CO2 to the atmosphere. Understanding these patterns is crucial for predicting how coastal seas respond to changing climate and water conditions.
Louise Delaigue, Gert-Jan Reichart, Li Qiu, Eric P. Achterberg, Yasmina Ourradi, Chris Galley, André Mutzberg, and Matthew P. Humphreys
Biogeosciences, 22, 5103–5121, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-5103-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-5103-2025, 2025
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Our study analysed pH in ocean surface waters to understand how it fluctuates with changes in temperature, salinity, and biological activities. We found that temperature mainly controls daily pH variations, but biological processes also play a role, especially in affecting CO2 levels between the ocean and atmosphere. Our research shows how these factors together maintain the balance of ocean chemistry, which is crucial for predicting changes in marine environments.
Anna Cutmore, Nicole Bale, Rick Hennekam, Bingjie Yang, Darci Rush, Gert-Jan Reichart, Ellen C. Hopmans, and Stefan Schouten
Clim. Past, 21, 957–971, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-21-957-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-21-957-2025, 2025
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As human activities lower marine oxygen levels, understanding the impact on the marine nitrogen cycle is vital. The Black Sea, which became oxygen-deprived 9600 years ago, offers key insights. By studying organic compounds linked to nitrogen cycle processes, we found that, 7200 years ago, the Black Sea's nitrogen cycle significantly altered due to severe deoxygenation. This suggests that continued marine oxygen decline could similarly alter the marine nitrogen cycle, affecting vital ecosystems.
Peter Kraal, Kristin A. Ungerhofer, Darci Rush, and Gert-Jan Reichart
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1870, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1870, 2025
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Element cycles in oxygen-depleted areas such as upwelling areas inform future deoxygenation scenarios. The Benguela upwelling system shows strong decoupling of nitrogen and phosphorus cycling due to seasonal shelf anoxia. Anaerobic processes result in pelagic nitrogen loss as N2. At the same time, sediments are rich in fish-derived and bacterial phosphorus, with high fluxes of excess phosphate, altering deep-water nitrogen:phosphorus ratios. Such alterations can affect ocean functioning.
Alice R. Paine, Joost Frieling, Timothy M. Shanahan, Tamsin A. Mather, Nicholas McKay, Stuart A. Robinson, David M. Pyle, Isabel M. Fendley, Ruth Kiely, and William D. Gosling
Clim. Past, 21, 817–839, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-21-817-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-21-817-2025, 2025
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Few tropical mercury (Hg) records extend beyond ~ 12 ka, meaning our current understanding of Hg behaviour may not fully account for the impact of long-term hydroclimate changes on the Hg cycle in these environments. Here, we present an ~ 96 kyr Hg record from Lake Bosumtwi, Ghana. A coupled response is observed between Hg flux and shifts in sediment composition reflective of changes in lake level, suggesting that hydroclimate may be a key driver of tropical Hg cycling over millennial timescales.
Szabina Karancz, Lennart J. de Nooijer, Bas van der Wagt, Marcel T. J. van der Meer, Sambuddha Misra, Rick Hennekam, Zeynep Erdem, Julie Lattaud, Negar Haghipour, Stefan Schouten, and Gert-Jan Reichart
Clim. Past, 21, 679–704, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-21-679-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-21-679-2025, 2025
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Changes in upwelling intensity of the Benguela upwelling region during the last glacial motivated us to investigate the local CO2 history during the last glacial-to-interglacial transition. Using various geochemical tracers on archives from both subsurface and surface waters reveals enhanced storage of carbon at depth during the Last Glacial Maximum. An efficient biological pump likely prevented outgassing of CO2 from intermediate depth to the atmosphere.
Devika Varma, Laura Villanueva, Nicole J. Bale, Pierre Offre, Gert-Jan Reichart, and Stefan Schouten
Biogeosciences, 21, 4875–4888, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-4875-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-4875-2024, 2024
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Archaeal hydroxylated tetraether lipids are increasingly used as temperature indicators in marine settings, but the factors influencing their distribution are still unclear. Analyzing membrane lipids of two thaumarchaeotal strains showed that the growth phase of the cultures does not affect the lipid distribution, but growth temperature profoundly affects the degree of cyclization of these lipids. Also, the abundance of these lipids is species-specific and is not influenced by temperature.
Appy Sluijs and Henk Brinkhuis
J. Micropalaeontol., 43, 441–474, https://doi.org/10.5194/jm-43-441-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/jm-43-441-2024, 2024
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We present intrinsic details of dinocyst taxa and assemblages from the sole available central Arctic late Paleocene–early Eocene sedimentary succession recovered at the central Lomonosov Ridge by the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) Expedition 302. We develop a pragmatic taxonomic framework, document critical biostratigraphic events, and propose two new genera and seven new species.
Charlotte Eich, Mathijs van Manen, J. Scott P. McCain, Loay J. Jabre, Willem H. van de Poll, Jinyoung Jung, Sven B. E. H. Pont, Hung-An Tian, Indah Ardiningsih, Gert-Jan Reichart, Erin M. Bertrand, Corina P. D. Brussaard, and Rob Middag
Biogeosciences, 21, 4637–4663, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-4637-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-4637-2024, 2024
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Phytoplankton growth in the Southern Ocean (SO) is often limited by low iron (Fe) concentrations. Sea surface warming impacts Fe availability and can affect phytoplankton growth. We used shipboard Fe clean incubations to test how changes in Fe and temperature affect SO phytoplankton. Their abundances usually increased with Fe addition and temperature increase, with Fe being the major factor. These findings imply potential shifts in ecosystem structure, impacting food webs and elemental cycling.
Dominique K. L. L. Jenny, Tammo Reichgelt, Charlotte L. O'Brien, Xiaoqing Liu, Peter K. Bijl, Matthew Huber, and Appy Sluijs
Clim. Past, 20, 1627–1657, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-20-1627-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-20-1627-2024, 2024
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This study reviews the current state of knowledge regarding the Oligocene
icehouseclimate. We extend an existing marine climate proxy data compilation and present a new compilation and analysis of terrestrial plant assemblages to assess long-term climate trends and variability. Our data–climate model comparison reinforces the notion that models underestimate polar amplification of Oligocene climates, and we identify potential future research directions.
Chris D. Fokkema, Tobias Agterhuis, Danielle Gerritsma, Myrthe de Goeij, Xiaoqing Liu, Pauline de Regt, Addison Rice, Laurens Vennema, Claudia Agnini, Peter K. Bijl, Joost Frieling, Matthew Huber, Francien Peterse, and Appy Sluijs
Clim. Past, 20, 1303–1325, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-20-1303-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-20-1303-2024, 2024
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Polar amplification (PA) is a key uncertainty in climate projections. The factors that dominantly control PA are difficult to separate. Here we provide an estimate for the non-ice-related PA by reconstructing tropical ocean temperature variability from the ice-free early Eocene, which we compare to deep-ocean-derived high-latitude temperature variability across short-lived warming periods. We find a PA factor of 1.7–2.3 on 20 kyr timescales, which is somewhat larger than model estimates.
Marci M. Robinson, Kenneth G. Miller, Tali L. Babila, Timothy J. Bralower, James V. Browning, Marlow J. Cramwinckel, Monika Doubrawa, Gavin L. Foster, Megan K. Fung, Sean Kinney, Maria Makarova, Peter P. McLaughlin, Paul N. Pearson, Ursula Röhl, Morgan F. Schaller, Jean M. Self-Trail, Appy Sluijs, Thomas Westerhold, James D. Wright, and James C. Zachos
Sci. Dril., 33, 47–65, https://doi.org/10.5194/sd-33-47-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/sd-33-47-2024, 2024
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The Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) is the closest geological analog to modern anthropogenic CO2 emissions, but its causes and the responses remain enigmatic. Coastal plain sediments can resolve this uncertainty, but their discontinuous nature requires numerous sites to constrain events. Workshop participants identified 10 drill sites that target the PETM and other interesting intervals. Our post-drilling research will provide valuable insights into Earth system responses.
Alice R. Paine, Isabel M. Fendley, Joost Frieling, Tamsin A. Mather, Jack H. Lacey, Bernd Wagner, Stuart A. Robinson, David M. Pyle, Alexander Francke, Theodore R. Them II, and Konstantinos Panagiotopoulos
Biogeosciences, 21, 531–556, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-531-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-531-2024, 2024
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Many important processes within the global mercury (Hg) cycle operate over thousands of years. Here, we explore the timing, magnitude, and expression of Hg signals retained in sediments of lakes Prespa and Ohrid over the past ∼90 000 years. Divergent signals suggest that local differences in sediment composition, lake structure, and water balance influence the local Hg cycle and determine the extent to which sedimentary Hg signals reflect local- or global-scale environmental changes.
Michiel Baatsen, Peter Bijl, Anna von der Heydt, Appy Sluijs, and Henk Dijkstra
Clim. Past, 20, 77–90, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-20-77-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-20-77-2024, 2024
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This work introduces the possibility and consequences of monsoons on Antarctica in the warm Eocene climate. We suggest that such a monsoonal climate can be important to understand conditions in Antarctica prior to large-scale glaciation. We can explain seemingly contradictory indications of ice and vegetation on the continent through regional variability. In addition, we provide a new mechanism through which most of Antarctica remained ice-free through a wide range of global climatic changes.
Madeleine L. Vickers, Morgan T. Jones, Jack Longman, David Evans, Clemens V. Ullmann, Ella Wulfsberg Stokke, Martin Vickers, Joost Frieling, Dustin T. Harper, Vincent J. Clementi, and IODP Expedition 396 Scientists
Clim. Past, 20, 1–23, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-20-1-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-20-1-2024, 2024
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The discovery of cold-water glendonite pseudomorphs in sediments deposited during the hottest part of the Cenozoic poses an apparent climate paradox. This study examines their occurrence, association with volcanic sediments, and speculates on the timing and extent of cooling, fitting this with current understanding of global climate during this period. We propose that volcanic activity was key to both physical and chemical conditions that enabled the formation of glendonites in these sediments.
Joost Frieling, Linda van Roij, Iris Kleij, Gert-Jan Reichart, and Appy Sluijs
Biogeosciences, 20, 4651–4668, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-4651-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-4651-2023, 2023
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We present a first species-specific evaluation of marine core-top dinoflagellate cyst carbon isotope fractionation (εp) to assess natural pCO2 dependency on εp and explore its geological deep-time paleo-pCO2 proxy potential. We find that εp differs between genera and species and that in Operculodinium centrocarpum, εp is controlled by pCO2 and nutrients. Our results highlight the added value of δ13C analyses of individual micrometer-scale sedimentary organic carbon particles.
Stephen P. Hesselbo, Aisha Al-Suwaidi, Sarah J. Baker, Giorgia Ballabio, Claire M. Belcher, Andrew Bond, Ian Boomer, Remco Bos, Christian J. Bjerrum, Kara Bogus, Richard Boyle, James V. Browning, Alan R. Butcher, Daniel J. Condon, Philip Copestake, Stuart Daines, Christopher Dalby, Magret Damaschke, Susana E. Damborenea, Jean-Francois Deconinck, Alexander J. Dickson, Isabel M. Fendley, Calum P. Fox, Angela Fraguas, Joost Frieling, Thomas A. Gibson, Tianchen He, Kat Hickey, Linda A. Hinnov, Teuntje P. Hollaar, Chunju Huang, Alexander J. L. Hudson, Hugh C. Jenkyns, Erdem Idiz, Mengjie Jiang, Wout Krijgsman, Christoph Korte, Melanie J. Leng, Timothy M. Lenton, Katharina Leu, Crispin T. S. Little, Conall MacNiocaill, Miguel O. Manceñido, Tamsin A. Mather, Emanuela Mattioli, Kenneth G. Miller, Robert J. Newton, Kevin N. Page, József Pálfy, Gregory Pieńkowski, Richard J. Porter, Simon W. Poulton, Alberto C. Riccardi, James B. Riding, Ailsa Roper, Micha Ruhl, Ricardo L. Silva, Marisa S. Storm, Guillaume Suan, Dominika Szűcs, Nicolas Thibault, Alfred Uchman, James N. Stanley, Clemens V. Ullmann, Bas van de Schootbrugge, Madeleine L. Vickers, Sonja Wadas, Jessica H. Whiteside, Paul B. Wignall, Thomas Wonik, Weimu Xu, Christian Zeeden, and Ke Zhao
Sci. Dril., 32, 1–25, https://doi.org/10.5194/sd-32-1-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/sd-32-1-2023, 2023
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We present initial results from a 650 m long core of Late Triasssic to Early Jurassic (190–202 Myr) sedimentary strata from the Cheshire Basin, UK, which is shown to be an exceptional record of Earth evolution for the time of break-up of the supercontinent Pangaea. Further work will determine periodic changes in depositional environments caused by solar system dynamics and used to reconstruct orbital history.
Laura Pacho, Lennart de Nooijer, and Gert-Jan Reichart
Biogeosciences, 20, 4043–4056, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-4043-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-4043-2023, 2023
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We analyzed Mg / Ca and other El / Ca (Na / Ca, B / Ca, Sr / Ca and Ba / Ca) in Nodosariata. Their calcite chemistry is markedly different to that of the other calcifying orders of foraminifera. We show a relation between the species average Mg / Ca and its sensitivity to changes in temperature. Differences were reflected in both the Mg incorporation and the sensitivities of Mg / Ca to temperature.
William Rush, Jean Self-Trail, Yang Zhang, Appy Sluijs, Henk Brinkhuis, James Zachos, James G. Ogg, and Marci Robinson
Clim. Past, 19, 1677–1698, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-19-1677-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-19-1677-2023, 2023
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The Eocene contains several brief warming periods referred to as hyperthermals. Studying these events and how they varied between locations can help provide insight into our future warmer world. This study provides a characterization of two of these events in the mid-Atlantic region of the USA. The records of climate that we measured demonstrate significant changes during this time period, but the type and timing of these changes highlight the complexity of climatic changes.
Morgan T. Jones, Ella W. Stokke, Alan D. Rooney, Joost Frieling, Philip A. E. Pogge von Strandmann, David J. Wilson, Henrik H. Svensen, Sverre Planke, Thierry Adatte, Nicolas Thibault, Madeleine L. Vickers, Tamsin A. Mather, Christian Tegner, Valentin Zuchuat, and Bo P. Schultz
Clim. Past, 19, 1623–1652, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-19-1623-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-19-1623-2023, 2023
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There are periods in Earth’s history when huge volumes of magma are erupted at the Earth’s surface. The gases released from volcanic eruptions and from sediments heated by the magma are believed to have caused severe climate changes in the geological past. We use a variety of volcanic and climatic tracers to assess how the North Atlantic Igneous Province (56–54 Ma) affected the oceans and atmosphere during a period of extreme global warming.
Niels J. de Winter, Daniel Killam, Lukas Fröhlich, Lennart de Nooijer, Wim Boer, Bernd R. Schöne, Julien Thébault, and Gert-Jan Reichart
Biogeosciences, 20, 3027–3052, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-3027-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-3027-2023, 2023
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Mollusk shells are valuable recorders of climate and environmental changes of the past down to a daily resolution. To explore this potential, we measured changes in the composition of shells of two types of bivalves recorded at the hourly scale: the king scallop Pecten maximus and giant clams (Tridacna) that engaged in photosymbiosis. We find that photosymbiosis produces more day–night fluctuation in shell chemistry but that most of the variation is not periodic, perhaps recording weather.
Yord W. Yedema, Francesca Sangiorgi, Appy Sluijs, Jaap S. Sinninghe Damsté, and Francien Peterse
Biogeosciences, 20, 663–686, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-663-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-663-2023, 2023
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Terrestrial organic matter (TerrOM) is transported to the ocean by rivers, where its burial can potentially form a long-term carbon sink. This burial is dependent on the type and characteristics of the TerrOM. We used bulk sediment properties, biomarkers, and palynology to identify the dispersal patterns of plant-derived, soil–microbial, and marine OM in the northern Gulf of Mexico and show that plant-derived OM is transported further into the coastal zone than soil and marine-produced TerrOM.
Rick Hennekam, Katharine M. Grant, Eelco J. Rohling, Rik Tjallingii, David Heslop, Andrew P. Roberts, Lucas J. Lourens, and Gert-Jan Reichart
Clim. Past, 18, 2509–2521, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-18-2509-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-18-2509-2022, 2022
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The ratio of titanium to aluminum (Ti/Al) is an established way to reconstruct North African climate in eastern Mediterranean Sea sediments. We demonstrate here how to obtain reliable Ti/Al data using an efficient scanning method that allows rapid acquisition of long climate records at low expense. Using this method, we reconstruct a 3-million-year North African climate record. African environmental variability was paced predominantly by low-latitude insolation from 3–1.2 million years ago.
Carolien M. H. van der Weijst, Koen J. van der Laan, Francien Peterse, Gert-Jan Reichart, Francesca Sangiorgi, Stefan Schouten, Tjerk J. T. Veenstra, and Appy Sluijs
Clim. Past, 18, 1947–1962, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-18-1947-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-18-1947-2022, 2022
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The TEX86 proxy is often used by paleoceanographers to reconstruct past sea-surface temperatures. However, the origin of the TEX86 signal in marine sediments has been debated since the proxy was first proposed. In our paper, we show that TEX86 carries a mixed sea-surface and subsurface temperature signal and should be calibrated accordingly. Using our 15-million-year record, we subsequently show how a TEX86 subsurface temperature record can be used to inform us on past sea-surface temperatures.
Karen M. Brandenburg, Björn Rost, Dedmer B. Van de Waal, Mirja Hoins, and Appy Sluijs
Biogeosciences, 19, 3305–3315, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-3305-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-3305-2022, 2022
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Reconstructions of past CO2 concentrations rely on proxy estimates, with one line of proxies relying on the CO2-dependence of stable carbon isotope fractionation in marine phytoplankton. Culturing experiments provide insights into which processes may impact this. We found, however, that the methods with which these culturing experiments are performed also influence 13C fractionation. Caution should therefore be taken when extrapolating results from these experiments to proxy applications.
Carolien M. H. van der Weijst, Josse Winkelhorst, Wesley de Nooijer, Anna von der Heydt, Gert-Jan Reichart, Francesca Sangiorgi, and Appy Sluijs
Clim. Past, 18, 961–973, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-18-961-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-18-961-2022, 2022
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A hypothesized link between Pliocene (5.3–2.5 million years ago) global climate and tropical thermocline depth is currently only backed up by data from the Pacific Ocean. In our paper, we present temperature, salinity, and thermocline records from the tropical Atlantic Ocean. Surprisingly, the Pliocene thermocline evolution was remarkably different in the Atlantic and Pacific. We need to reevaluate the mechanisms that drive thermocline depth, and how these are tied to global climate change.
Alice E. Webb, Didier M. de Bakker, Karline Soetaert, Tamara da Costa, Steven M. A. C. van Heuven, Fleur C. van Duyl, Gert-Jan Reichart, and Lennart J. de Nooijer
Biogeosciences, 18, 6501–6516, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-6501-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-6501-2021, 2021
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The biogeochemical behaviour of shallow reef communities is quantified to better understand the impact of habitat degradation and species composition shifts on reef functioning. The reef communities investigated barely support reef functions that are usually ascribed to conventional coral reefs, and the overall biogeochemical behaviour is found to be similar regardless of substrate type. This suggests a decrease in functional diversity which may therefore limit services provided by this reef.
Peter K. Bijl, Joost Frieling, Marlow Julius Cramwinckel, Christine Boschman, Appy Sluijs, and Francien Peterse
Clim. Past, 17, 2393–2425, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-17-2393-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-17-2393-2021, 2021
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Here, we use the latest insights for GDGT and dinocyst-based paleotemperature and paleoenvironmental reconstructions in late Cretaceous–early Oligocene sediments from ODP Site 1172 (East Tasman Plateau, Australia). We reconstruct strong river runoff during the Paleocene–early Eocene, a progressive decline thereafter with increased wet/dry seasonality in the northward-drifting hinterland. Our critical review leaves the anomalous warmth of the Eocene SW Pacific Ocean unexplained.
Indah Ardiningsih, Kyyas Seyitmuhammedov, Sylvia G. Sander, Claudine H. Stirling, Gert-Jan Reichart, Kevin R. Arrigo, Loes J. A. Gerringa, and Rob Middag
Biogeosciences, 18, 4587–4601, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-4587-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-4587-2021, 2021
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Organic Fe speciation is investigated along a natural gradient of the western Antarctic Peninsula from an ice-covered shelf to the open ocean. The two major fronts in the region affect the distribution of ligands. The excess ligands not bound to dissolved Fe (DFe) comprised up to 80 % of the total ligand concentrations, implying the potential to solubilize additional Fe input. The ligands on the shelf can increase the DFe residence time and fuel local primary production upon ice melt.
Gerrit Müller, Jack J. Middelburg, and Appy Sluijs
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 13, 3565–3575, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-13-3565-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-13-3565-2021, 2021
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Rivers are major freshwater resources, connectors and transporters on Earth. As the composition of river waters and particles results from processes in their catchment, such as erosion, weathering, environmental pollution, nutrient and carbon cycling, Earth-spanning databases of river composition are needed for studies of these processes on a global scale. While extensive resources on water and nutrient composition exist, we provide a database of river particle composition.
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Short summary
In this study, we analyzed the molecular and stable carbon isotopic composition (δ13C) of pollen and spores (sporomorphs) that underwent chemical treatments that simulate diagenesis during fossilization. We show that the successive removal of sugars and lipids results in the depletion of 13C in the residual sporomorph, leaving rich aromatic compounds. This residual aromatic-rich structure likely represents diagenetically resistant sporopollenin, implying that diagenesis results in the depletion of 13C in pollen.
In this study, we analyzed the molecular and stable carbon isotopic composition (δ13C) of pollen...
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