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Wu, Henry C; Linsley, Braddock K; Dassié, Emilie Pauline; Schiraldi, Benedetto; deMenocal, Peter B (2013): Annual average Sr/Ca measurements from Porites lutea coral at Ha'afera Island, Tonga [dataset]. PANGAEA, https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.820044, Supplement to: Wu, HC et al. (2013): Oceanographic variability in the South Pacific Convergence Zone region over the last 210 years from multi-site coral Sr/Ca records. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 14(5), 1435-1453, https://doi.org/10.1029/2012GC004293

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Abstract:
In the South Pacific Convergence Zone (SPCZ), the variability in a sub-seasonally resolved microatoll Porites colony Sr/Ca record from Tonga and a previously published high-resolution record from Fiji are strongly influenced by sea surface temperature (SST) over the calibration period from 1981 to 2004 (R^2 = 0.67 - 0.68). However, the Sr/Ca-derived SST correlation to instrumental SST decreases back in time. The lower frequency secular trend (~1°C) and decadal-scale (~2 - 3°C) modes in Sr/Ca-derived SST are almost two times larger than that observed in instrumental SST. The coral Sr/Ca records suggest that local effects on SST generate larger amplitude variability than gridded SST products indicate. Reconstructed d18O of seawater (d18Osw) at these sites correlate with instrumental sea surface salinity (SSS; r = 0.64 - 0.67) but not local precipitation (r = -0.10 to - 0.22) demonstrating that the advection and mixing of different salinity water masses may be the predominant control on d18Osw in this region. The Sr/Ca records indicate SST warming over the last 100 years and appears to be related to the expansion of the western Pacific warm pool (WPWP) including an increasing rate of expansion in the last ~20 years. The reconstructed d18Osw over the last 100 years also shows surface water freshening across the SPCZ. The warming and freshening of the surface ocean in our study area suggests that the SPCZ has been shifting (expanding) southeast, possibly related to the southward shift and intensification of the South Pacific gyre over the last 50 years in response to strengthened westerly winds.
Coverage:
Latitude: -19.933300 * Longitude: -174.716670
Minimum Elevation: -1.0 m * Maximum Elevation: -1.0 m
Event(s):
Tonga_TH1 * Latitude: -19.933300 * Longitude: -174.716670 * Elevation: -1.0 m * Location: Ha afera Island, Tonga * Method/Device: Diver-held corer (DHC) * Comment: This research were supported by US National Science Foundation (NSF) grant OCE-0318296.
Comment:
Modern live coral, time period 1791-2003 a AD.
Sr/Ca measurements from 1944 to 2004 were determined on the same sample powders analyzed by Linsley et al. (2008; doi:10.1029/2007PA001539) for d18Oc. Sr/Ca measurements before 1944 are from new coral powder samples collected by re-drilling the same sampling transects used in Linsley et al. (2008; doi:10.1029/2007PA001539) for annual d18Oc samples.
Parameter(s):
#NameShort NameUnitPrincipal InvestigatorMethod/DeviceComment
1AGEAgeka BPGeocode
2AgeAgea AD/CEWu, Henry C
3Strontium/Calcium ratioSr/Cammol/molWu, Henry CAnnual Sr/Ca of Porites lutea
Size:
426 data points

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