Bernhard Chapligin

A high‐performance, safer and semi‐automated approach for the δ18O analysis of diatom silica and new methods for removing exchangeable oxygen

The determination of the oxygen isotope composition of diatom silica in sediment cores is important for paleoclimate reconstruction, especially in non-carbonate sediments, where no other bioindicators such as ostracods and foraminifera are available. Since most currently available analytical techniques are time-consuming and labour-intensive, we have developed a new, safer, faster and semi-automated online approach for measuring oxygen isotopes in biogenic silica. Improvements include software that controls the measurement procedures and a video camera that remotely records the reaction of the samples under BrF(5) with a CO(2) laser. Maximum safety is guaranteed as the laser-fluorination unit is arranged under a fume hood in a separate room from the operator. A new routine has been developed for removing the exchangeable hydrous components within biogenic silica using ramp degassing. The sample plate is heated up to 1100 degrees C and cooled down to 400 degrees C in approximately 7 h under a flow of He gas (the inert Gas Flow Dehydration method--iGFD) before isotope analysis. Two quartz and two biogenic silica samples (approximately 1.5 mg) of known isotope composition were tested. The isotopic compositions were reproducible within an acceptable error; quartz samples gave a mean standard deviation of <0.15 per thousand (1sigma) and for biogenic silica <0.25 per thousand (1sigma) for samples down to approximately 0.3 mg. The semi-automated fluorination line is the fastest method available at present and enables a throughput of 74 samples/week.

A high performance, safe and semi-automated approach on the δ18O analysis of diatom silica and new methods for removing exchangeable oxygen

The determination of the oxygen isotope composition of diatom silica in sediment cores is important for paleoclimate reconstruction, especially in non-carbonate sediments, where no other bioindicators such as ostracods and foraminifera are available. Since most currently available analytical techniques are time-consuming and labour-intensive, we have developed a new, safer, faster and semi-automated online approach for measuring oxygen isotopes in biogenic silica. Improvements include software that controls the measurement procedures and a video camera that remotely records the reaction of the samples under BrF(5) with a CO(2) laser. Maximum safety is guaranteed as the laser-fluorination unit is arranged under a fume hood in a separate room from the operator. A new routine has been developed for removing the exchangeable hydrous components within biogenic silica using ramp degassing. The sample plate is heated up to 1100 degrees C and cooled down to 400 degrees C in approximately 7 h under a flow of He gas (the inert Gas Flow Dehydration method--iGFD) before isotope analysis. Two quartz and two biogenic silica samples (approximately 1.5 mg) of known isotope composition were tested. The isotopic compositions were reproducible within an acceptable error; quartz samples gave a mean standard deviation of <0.15 per thousand (1sigma) and for biogenic silica <0.25 per thousand (1sigma) for samples down to approximately 0.3 mg. The semi-automated fluorination line is the fastest method available at present and enables a throughput of 74 samples/week.

The seasonal sea-ice zone in the glacial Southern Ocean as a carbon sink.

Reduced surface–deep ocean exchange and enhanced nutrient consumption by phytoplankton in the Southern Ocean have been linked to lower glacial atmospheric CO2. However, identification of the biological and physical conditions involved and the related processes remains incomplete. Here we specify Southern Ocean surface–subsurface contrasts using a new tool, the combined oxygen and silicon isotope measurement of diatom and radiolarian opal, in combination with numerical simulations. Our data do not indicate a permanent glacial halocline related to melt water from icebergs. Corroborated by numerical simulations, we find that glacial surface stratification was variable and linked to seasonal sea-ice changes. During glacial spring–summer, the mixed layer was relatively shallow, while deeper mixing occurred during fall–winter, allowing for surface-ocean refueling with nutrients from the deep reservoir, which was potentially richer in nutrients than today. This generated specific carbon and opal export regimes turning the glacial seasonal sea-ice zone into a carbon sink.

Deglacial subarctic Pacific surface water hydrography and nutrient dynamics and links to North Atlantic climate variability and atmospheric CO2

The glacial-to-Holocene evolution of subarctic Pacific surface water stratification and silicic acid (Si) dynamics is investigated based on new combined diatom oxygen (δ18Odiat) and silicon (δ30Sidiat) isotope records, along with new biogenic opal, subsurface foraminiferal δ18O, alkenone-based sea surface temperature, sea ice, diatom, and core logging data from the NE Pacific. Our results suggest that δ18Odiat values are primarily influenced by changes in freshwater discharge from the Cordilleran Ice Sheet (CIS), while corresponding δ30Sidiat are primarily influenced by changes in Si supply to surface waters. Our data indicate enhanced glacial to mid Heinrich Stadial 1 (HS1) NE Pacific surface water stratification, generally limiting the Si supply to surface waters. However, we suggest that an increase in Si supply during early HS1, when surface waters were still stratified, is linked to increased North Pacific Intermediate Water formation. The coincidence between fresh surface waters during HS1 and enhanced ice-rafted debris sedimentation in the North Atlantic indicates a close link between CIS and Laurentide Ice Sheet dynamics and a dominant atmospheric control on CIS deglaciation. The Bolling/Allerod (B/A) is characterized by destratification in the subarctic Pacific and an increased supply of saline, Si-rich waters to surface waters. This change toward increased convection occurred prior to the Bolling warming and is likely triggered by a switch to sea ice-free conditions during late HS1. Our results furthermore indicate a decreased efficiency of the biological pump during late HS1 and the B/A (possibly also the Younger Dryas), suggesting that the subarctic Pacific has then been a source region of atmospheric CO2.

Reconstruction of the Holocene Climate of Transbaikalia: Evidence from the Oxygen Isotope Analysis of Fossil Diatoms from Kotokel Lake

Fossil diatoms or Bacillariophyta are microscopicunicellular organisms with siliceous cell–frustule consisting of two separate valves that play an importantrole in marine and lake sedimentation. The data ofdiatom analysis provide reliable spatial and temporalreconstructions of the natural environment and theclimate of past geological epochs [1].The possibility of investigation of fossil Bacillariophyta by the oxygen isotope method in order to obtainpaleoinformation was originally demonstrated by L.Labeyrie [2]. The plotted isotope curves indicate variations in the temperature and isotope composition ofwater (δ