Rapid Variability Of The Intensity Of The NE Pacific Oxygen Minimum Zone: The Role Of Productivity And Its Response To Upwelling-Favorable Winds

Columbia University, New York NY

Investigators

Abstract

-----Original Message----- From: Poore, Richard Z Sent: Thursday, July 12, 2001 8:55 AM To: Weller, Margaret Subject: summary for anderson award Science Summary: This proposal requests support for a study to test the hypothesis that reorganization of atmospheric circulation and, specifically, changes in upwelling-favorable winds, was a major factor driving millennial variability in the intensity of the oxygen minimum zone (OMZ) off the west coast of North America. The study will employ measurement of 231Pa/230Th and 10Be/230Th ratios in samples from cores forming a north-south transect along the continental margin to deduce past changes in wind-driven productivity. The proxies were selected because they are insensitive to sediment focusing and to changes in bottom water oxygen content and thus should be reliable indicators of local productivity variations.