2008/10/14 by Gary S. Dwyer, Mark A. Chandler · 3 citations
Earth and Planetary Sciences · Environmental Science · #Geology and Paleoclimatology Research #Isotope Analysis in Ecology #Paleontology and Stratigraphy of Fossils
paper · doi:10.1098/rsta.2008.0222
openalex publication_date 2008/10/14 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/05/29
Ostracode magnesium/calcium (Mg/Ca)-based bottom-water temperatures were combined with benthic foraminiferal oxygen isotopes in order to quantify the oxygen isotopic composition of seawater, and estimate continental ice volume and sea-level variability during the Mid-Pliocene warm period, ca 3.3-3.0Ma. Results indicate that, following a low stand of approximately 65m below present at marine isotope stage (MIS) M2 (ca 3.3Ma), sea level generally fluctuated by 20-30m above and below a mean value similar to present-day sea level. In addition to the low-stand event at MIS M2, significant low stands occurred at MIS KM2 (-40 m), G22 (-40m) and G16 (-60m). Six high stands of +10m or more above present day were also observed; four events (+10, +25,+15 and +30 m) from MIS M1 to KM3, a high stand of +15m at MIS K1, and a high stand of +25m at MIS G17. These results indicate that continental ice volume varied significantly during the Mid-Pliocene warm period and that at times there were considerable reductions of Antarctic ice.