Linking large-scale climate variability with Arctica islandica shell growth and geochemistry in northern Norway
Publication Title
Limnology and Oceanography
Document Type
Article
Department or Program
Geology
Publication Date
2016
Keywords
atlantic multidecadal oscillation, bivalve, climate variation, ecosystem dynamics, geochemistry, geochronology, growth, North Atlantic Oscillation, oceanic current, oxygen isotope, paleoclimate, proxy climate control, sea surface temperature, shell
Abstract
The lack of high resolution, geographically diverse proxy records from the marine realm limits our understanding of climate dynamics in the North Atlantic Ocean and Arctic during recent centuries. We investigate the impact of large‐scale climate variability on the marine bivalve, Arctica islandica, (Linnaeus 1767) from northern Norway (71°N). We evaluate the use of annual shell growth and geochemical records as proxies for North Atlantic and Arctic climate variability over centennial scales by developing a continuous, 113‐yr master shell growth chronology and an oxygen isotope record (δ18O) from live caught shell material. A relatively strong inverse relationship is observed between both the shell growth and isotopic proxies and large‐scale North Atlantic sea surface temperatures in modern times (r = −0.54 to −0.90; p < 0.05). This relationship is strengthened when using a combined shell growth/oxygen isotope Multiproxy Index (r = −0.72 to −0.90; p <0.01). The regional spatial pattern of correlation resembles that of the North Atlantic Current as it bifurcates around 55°N, indicating that large‐scale ocean surface current dynamics play an important role in regulating local ecosystem processes and thus shell growth in northern Norway. A combined proxy index created using multiple linear regression exhibits a relatively strong and time‐stable relationship with the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO; r = −0.622; p < 0.001) since AD 1900. Variability in the relationship between the shell based records and the North Atlantic Oscillation coincide with variations in the AMO index, suggesting a complex relationship between atmospheric forcing on hydrographic variability and ecosystem dynamics in northern Norway.
Recommended Citation
Mette, M. J., Wanamaker, A. D., Carroll, M. L., Ambrose, W. G. and Retelle, M. J. (2016), Linking large‐scale climate variability with Arctica islandica shell growth and geochemistry in northern Norway. Limnology and Oceanography. 61(2) 748-764. https://doi.org/10.1002/lno.10252
Comments
Originial version is available from the publisher at: https://doi.org/10.1002/lno.10252