Interdecadal changes in intensity of the oxygen minimum zone off Concepcion, Chile (~36° S), over the last century
Author(s)
Srain, B.; Pantoja, S.; Lange, C. B.; McKay, J.; Salamanca, M.; Munoz, P.; Sepulveda, Julio C; Summons, Roger E; ... Show more Show less
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We reconstructed oxygenation changes in the upwelling ecosystem off Concepcion (36° S), Chile, using inorganic and organic proxies in a sediment core covering the last ca. 110 years of sedimentation in this area. Authigenic enrichments of Mo, U and Cd were observed between ca. 1935 and 1971 CE, implying a prolonged period with predominantly more reduced conditions in bottom waters and surface sediments. Significant positive correlations between redox-sensitive metals, algal sterols, biomarkers of micro-aerophilic and anaerobic microorganisms, and archaeal glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers point to a tight coupling among bottom water O[subscript 2] depletion and increased primary and export production. The time interval with low O[subscript 2] of ca. 35 years seems to follow low-frequency interdecadal variation of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation, and it may have resulted in O[subscript 2] depletion over the entire continental shelf off Concepción. Taking this together with the concurrent increase in sedimentary molecular indicators of micro-aerophilic and anaerobic microbes, we can suggest that changes in oxygenation of the water column are reflected by changes in microbial community. This study can inform our understanding of ecological consequences to projected trends in ocean deoxygenation.
Date issued
2015-10Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary SciencesJournal
Biogeosciences
Publisher
Copernicus GmbH
Citation
Srain, B., S. Pantoja, J. Sepulveda, C. B. Lange, P. Munoz, R. E. Summons, J. McKay, and M. Salamanca. “Interdecadal Changes in Intensity of the Oxygen Minimum Zone Off Concepcion, Chile (~36° S), over the Last Century.” Biogeosciences 12, no. 20 (October 22, 2015): 6045–6058.
Version: Final published version
ISSN
1726-4189