δ<sup>18</sup>O water isotope in the <i>i</i>LOVECLIM model (version 1.0) – Part 3: A palaeo-perspective based on present-day data–model comparison for oxygen stable isotopes in carbonates

Oxygen stable isotopes (δ<sup>18</sup>O) are among the most useful tools in palaeoclimatology/palaeoceanography. Simulation of oxygen stable isotopes allows testing how the past variability of these isotopes in water can be interpreted. By modelling the proxy directly in the model, the r...

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Main Authors: T. Caley, D. M. Roche
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Copernicus Publications 2013-09-01
Series:Geoscientific Model Development
Online Access:http://www.geosci-model-dev.net/6/1505/2013/gmd-6-1505-2013.pdf
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author T. Caley
D. M. Roche
author_facet T. Caley
D. M. Roche
author_sort T. Caley
collection DOAJ
description Oxygen stable isotopes (δ<sup>18</sup>O) are among the most useful tools in palaeoclimatology/palaeoceanography. Simulation of oxygen stable isotopes allows testing how the past variability of these isotopes in water can be interpreted. By modelling the proxy directly in the model, the results can also be directly compared with the data. Water isotopes have been implemented in the global three-dimensional model of intermediate complexity <i>i</i>LOVECLIM, allowing fully coupled atmosphere–ocean simulations. In this study, we present the validation of the model results for present-day climate against the global database for oxygen stable isotopes in carbonates. The limitation of the model together with the processes operating in the natural environment reveal the complexity of use the continental calcite-δ<sup>18</sup>O signal of speleothems for a global quantitative data–model comparison exercise. On the contrary, the reconstructed surface ocean calcite-δ<sup>18</sup>O signal in <i>i</i>LOVECLIM does show a very good agreement with the late Holocene database (foraminifers) at the global and regional scales. Our results indicate that temperature and the isotopic composition of the seawater are the main control on the fossil-δ<sup>18</sup>O signal recorded in foraminifer shells when all species are grouped together. Depth habitat, seasonality and other ecological effects play a more significant role when individual species are considered. We argue that a data–model comparison for surface ocean calcite δ<sup>18</sup>O in past climates, such as the Last Glacial Maximum (≈ 21 000 yr), could constitute an interesting tool for mapping the potential shifts of the frontal systems and circulation changes throughout time. Similarly, the potential changes in intermediate oceanic circulation systems in the past could be documented by a data (benthic foraminifers)-model comparison exercise whereas future investigations are necessary in order to quantitatively compare the results with data for the deep ocean.
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spelling doaj.art-829c612554714243b5563f3c89465c792022-12-21T18:15:39ZengCopernicus PublicationsGeoscientific Model Development1991-959X1991-96032013-09-01651505151610.5194/gmd-6-1505-2013δ<sup>18</sup>O water isotope in the <i>i</i>LOVECLIM model (version 1.0) – Part 3: A palaeo-perspective based on present-day data–model comparison for oxygen stable isotopes in carbonatesT. CaleyD. M. RocheOxygen stable isotopes (δ<sup>18</sup>O) are among the most useful tools in palaeoclimatology/palaeoceanography. Simulation of oxygen stable isotopes allows testing how the past variability of these isotopes in water can be interpreted. By modelling the proxy directly in the model, the results can also be directly compared with the data. Water isotopes have been implemented in the global three-dimensional model of intermediate complexity <i>i</i>LOVECLIM, allowing fully coupled atmosphere–ocean simulations. In this study, we present the validation of the model results for present-day climate against the global database for oxygen stable isotopes in carbonates. The limitation of the model together with the processes operating in the natural environment reveal the complexity of use the continental calcite-δ<sup>18</sup>O signal of speleothems for a global quantitative data–model comparison exercise. On the contrary, the reconstructed surface ocean calcite-δ<sup>18</sup>O signal in <i>i</i>LOVECLIM does show a very good agreement with the late Holocene database (foraminifers) at the global and regional scales. Our results indicate that temperature and the isotopic composition of the seawater are the main control on the fossil-δ<sup>18</sup>O signal recorded in foraminifer shells when all species are grouped together. Depth habitat, seasonality and other ecological effects play a more significant role when individual species are considered. We argue that a data–model comparison for surface ocean calcite δ<sup>18</sup>O in past climates, such as the Last Glacial Maximum (≈ 21 000 yr), could constitute an interesting tool for mapping the potential shifts of the frontal systems and circulation changes throughout time. Similarly, the potential changes in intermediate oceanic circulation systems in the past could be documented by a data (benthic foraminifers)-model comparison exercise whereas future investigations are necessary in order to quantitatively compare the results with data for the deep ocean.http://www.geosci-model-dev.net/6/1505/2013/gmd-6-1505-2013.pdf
spellingShingle T. Caley
D. M. Roche
δ<sup>18</sup>O water isotope in the <i>i</i>LOVECLIM model (version 1.0) – Part 3: A palaeo-perspective based on present-day data–model comparison for oxygen stable isotopes in carbonates
Geoscientific Model Development
title δ<sup>18</sup>O water isotope in the <i>i</i>LOVECLIM model (version 1.0) – Part 3: A palaeo-perspective based on present-day data–model comparison for oxygen stable isotopes in carbonates
title_full δ<sup>18</sup>O water isotope in the <i>i</i>LOVECLIM model (version 1.0) – Part 3: A palaeo-perspective based on present-day data–model comparison for oxygen stable isotopes in carbonates
title_fullStr δ<sup>18</sup>O water isotope in the <i>i</i>LOVECLIM model (version 1.0) – Part 3: A palaeo-perspective based on present-day data–model comparison for oxygen stable isotopes in carbonates
title_full_unstemmed δ<sup>18</sup>O water isotope in the <i>i</i>LOVECLIM model (version 1.0) – Part 3: A palaeo-perspective based on present-day data–model comparison for oxygen stable isotopes in carbonates
title_short δ<sup>18</sup>O water isotope in the <i>i</i>LOVECLIM model (version 1.0) – Part 3: A palaeo-perspective based on present-day data–model comparison for oxygen stable isotopes in carbonates
title_sort δ sup 18 sup o water isotope in the i i i loveclim model version 1 0 part 3 a palaeo perspective based on present day data model comparison for oxygen stable isotopes in carbonates
url http://www.geosci-model-dev.net/6/1505/2013/gmd-6-1505-2013.pdf
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AT dmroche dsup18supowaterisotopeintheiiiloveclimmodelversion10part3apalaeoperspectivebasedonpresentdaydatamodelcomparisonforoxygenstableisotopesincarbonates