SGER: Exploring the Utility of Terrestrial Organic Tracers to Document Subtle Changes in the Asian Monsoons

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole MA

Investigators

Abstract

The P.I. will explore the potential of using leaf waxes in ocean sediments to quantitatively determine the seasonal strength of winds associated with Asian monsoon systems in the Holocene. The assumption is that winds carry terrestrial organic compounds and that the makeup of the compounds is dependent on wind strength and direction. Thus the organic biomarkers may give an indication of Austral-Asian Monsoon strength. The proposal asks for funding to do calbration studies from core tops. This unique proxy may be an improvement on others which record ocean upwelling or productivity which are often difficult to interpret.