Holocene ocean circulation and climate variability in Davis Strait and the North Labrador Sea, West Greenland : interpreted from diatoms

Abstract

Diatom analyses were carried out on two sediment cores, one from the North Labrador Sea and one from Davis Strait, West Greenland, in order to investigate Holocene climatic variability in relation to ocean circulation. While the Davis Strait record showed very low diatom abundance, the diatom record from the North Labrador Sea showed diatom abundance high enough for making an approximate quantitative analysis, revealing clear trends in environmental changes. The record from the North Labrador Sea locality is found to reflect West Greenland Current (WGC) variability, which can be linked to North Atlantic Circulation variability. The record further indicates a Holocene warming between 9800-9600 14C yr BP. From around 8800-8600 14C yr BP the influence of warm Atlantic water masses weakened, and hence a cooler climate occurred. There have been found some indications of the 8200 cal. years BP cold event . At around 4800-4600 14C yr BP the diatom record indicates Neoglaciation. From around 3800 14C yr BP to present diatom abundance was very low, pointing towards unfavourable growth conditions.