Hinrichs, Kai-Uwe et al. (2003): Molecular fossil record of elevated methane levels in late Pleistocene coastal waters

Leg/Site/Hole:
ODP 146
ODP 146 893
Identifier:
2003-024610
georefid
10.1126/science.1079601
doi
Creator:
Hinrichs, Kai-Uwe
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Department of Geology and Geophysics, Woods Hole, MA, United States
author
Hmelo, Laura R.
author
Sylva, Sean P.
author
Identification:
Molecular fossil record of elevated methane levels in late Pleistocene coastal waters
2003
Science
American Association for the Advancement of Science, Washington, DC, United States
299
5610
1214-1217
Accumulating evidence suggests that methane has been released episodically from hydrates trapped in sea floor sediments during many intervals of rapid climate warming. Here we show that sediments from the Santa Barbara Basin deposited during warm intervals in the last glacial period contain molecular fossils that are diagnostic of aerobic and anaerobic methanotrophs. Sediment intervals with high abundances of these compounds indicate episodes of vigorous methanotrophic activity in methane-laden water masses. Signals for anaerobic methanotrophy in 44,100-year-old sediment are evidence for particularly intense methane emissions and suggest that the basin's methane cycle can profoundly affect oxygen budgets in the water column.
English
Serial
Coverage:Geographic coordinates:
North:34.1715
West:-120.0212East: -120.0211
South:34.1715
Quaternary geology; aerobic environment; aliphatic hydrocarbons; alkanes; anaerobic environment; C-13/C-12; carbon; Cenozoic; climate change; coastal environment; concentration; East Pacific; Foraminifera; geochemical cycle; geochemistry; glacial environment; glaciomarine environment; Globigerina; Globigerina bulloides; Globigerinacea; Globigerinidae; hydrocarbons; Invertebrata; isotope ratios; isotopes; Leg 146; marine environment; marine sediments; methane; microfossils; Neogloboquadrina; Neogloboquadrina pachyderma; North Pacific; Northeast Pacific; Ocean Drilling Program; ODP Site 893; organic compounds; oxygen; Pacific Ocean; paleoclimatology; paleoecology; paleotemperature; Pleistocene; Protista; Quaternary; Rotaliina; Santa Barbara Basin; sediments; stable isotopes; trophic analysis; upper Pleistocene;
.