Abstract

SANCHEZ, Alberto; CARRIQUIRY, José D.  and  LOPEZ-ORTIZ, B. Estela. Climatic variability and organic carbon accumulation in the southern part of the California Current during marine isotopic stages 1, 2 and 3. Bol. Soc. Geol. Mex [online]. 2010, vol.62, n.3, pp.391-398. ISSN 1405-3322.

The biological pump of the ocean plays a very important role in the global carbon cycle. The burial rates of organic carbon (C_org) south of latitude 40° N in the eastern North Pacific suggest a better preservation of export productivity during the last glacial cycle. The data compiled for the C_org burial rate allowed us to extend the record of marine isotope stages 1, 2 and 3 (MIS 1,2,3) in the eastern North Pacific to the southern sector of the California Current, which corresponds to the Mexican Pacific. The results of the burial rates of C_org show an increase in the export productivity during the MIS-2, excepting for the Mazatlan margin. This evidence suggests there is better nutrient utilization at mid-latitudes during the MIS-2. The increase of nutrient availability to the photic zone, which favored marine and export productivity, was caused by an increase in upwelling intensity.

Keywords : California current; organic carbon; biological pump; export productivity; marine isotope stages.

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