Publication Date:
2020-03-13
Description:
Understanding the processes controlling the natural variability of sea ice in the Arctic, one of the most
dynamic components of the climate system, can help to constrain the effects of future climate change in
this highly sensitive area. For the first time, a high-resolution biomarker study was carried out to
reconstruct past sea-ice variability off eastern North Greenland. This area is strongly influenced by cold
surface waters and drift ice transported via the East Greenland Current, meltwater pulses from the outlet
glaciers of the Northeast Greenland Ice Stream and the build-up of landfast ice. The well-dated Holocene
sedimentary section of Core PS93/025 provides insights into variations of the sea-ice conditions (regional
and local sea-ice signal), oceanic and atmospheric circulation and the biotic response to these changes.
These biomarker records show a reduced to variable sea-ice cover during the early Holocene between
10.2 and 9.3 ka, followed by a steady increase in sea-ice conditions during the mid Holocene. During the
last 5-6 ka, sea-ice conditions remained more stable representing a seasonal to marginal sea-ice situation.
Based on our biomarker records, stable sea-ice edge conditions, with a fully developed polynya
situation occurred since the last 1 ka.
Repository Name:
EPIC Alfred Wegener Institut
Type:
Article
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isiRev
