Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Variation of paleo-productivity and terrigenous input in the Eastern Arabian Sea during the past 100 ka

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Journal of the Geological Society of India

Abstract

A 4.1 m long sediment core from the Eastern Arabian Sea (EAS) is studied using multiple geochemical proxies to understand the variation of productivity and terrigenous matter supply during the past 100 ka. The temporal variation in element concentration and fluxes of CaCO3, organic carbon (Corg) and Barium excess (Baexc), together, in general indicate a higher productivity during the cold climate and highest during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) in particular. This cold climate-increased productivity coupling may be attributed to the shoaling of nutricline due to enhanced convective mixing resulting from the intensified winter monsoon. Increased linear sedimentation rates and fluxes of Al, Fe, Mg, Ti, Cr, Cu, Zn, and V during the cold period also suggest increased input of terrigenous matter supporting intensified winter winds. However, the presence of large abundance of structurally unsupported elemental content (e.g.: Mg-86%, Fe-82% and Al-53%) indicate increased input of terrigenous material which was probably enhanced due to intense winter monsoon.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Agnihotri, R., Sarin, A.A., Somayajulu, B.L.K., Jull, A.J.T. and Burr, G.S. (2003) Late-Quaternary biogenic productivity and organic carbon deposition in the eastern Arabian Sea. Palaeogeogr. Palaeoclimatol. Palaeoecol., v.197, pp.43–60.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Argast, S. and Donnelly, T.W. (1987) The chemical discrimination of clastic sedimentary components. Journal of Sed. Petro, v.57, pp.813–823.

    Google Scholar 

  • Banakar, V.K., Oba, T., Chodankar, A.R., Kuramoto, T., Yamamoto M. and Minagawa, M. (2005) Monsoon related changes in sea surface productivity and water column denitrification in the Eastern Arabian Sea during last glacial cycle. Mar. Geol., v.219, pp.99–108.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Banse, K. (1987). Seasonality of plankton chlorophyll in the Central and northern Arabian sea. Deep-Sea Res. v.34, pp.713–723.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chodankar, A.R. (2004) The Late-Pleistocene sedimentation history in the eastern Arabian Sea; Climate weatheringproductivity linkages. Goa University Unpubld. Ph. D. Thesis. 126p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chodankar, A.R., Banakar, V.K. and Oba, T. (2005) Past 100 ky surface salinity gradient response in the Eastern Arabian Sea to the summer monsoon variation recorded by ™18O of G. sacculifer. Global Planet. Change, v.47, pp.135–142.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Curry, W.B. and Lohmann, (1986) Late Quaternary carbonate sedimentation at the Sierra Leone Rise (eastern equatorial Atlantic Ocean). Mar. Geol,. v.70, pp.223–250.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Duplessy, J.C. (1982) Glacial-interglacial contrasts in the northern Indian Ocean. Nature, v.295, pp.494–498.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dymond, J., Suess, E. and Lyle, M. (1992) Barium in deep sea sediment: a geochemical proxy for paleoproductivity. Paleoceanography, v.7, pp.163–181.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fontugne, M.R. and Duplessy, J.C. (1986) Variations of the monsoon regime during the upper Quaternary: evidence from carbon isotopic record of organic matter in North Indian Ocean sediment cores. Palaeogeogr., Palaeoclimatol., Palaeoecol., v.56, pp.69–88.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gingele, F.X., Zabel, M., Kasten, S., Bonn, W.J. and Nurnberg, C.C. (1999) Biogenic barium as a proxy for paleoproductivity: Methods and limitations of application. In: G. Fischer and G. Wefer (Eds.), Uses of Proxies in Paleoceanography: Examples from the South Atlantic. Springer, Berlin, pp.345–364.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Gupta, M.V.S., Naidu, P.D., Haake, B.G. and Schiebel, R. (2005) Carbonate and carbon fluctuations in the Eastern Arabian Sea over 140ka: Implications on productivity changes. Deep-Sea Res., Part-II, v.2, pp.1981–1993.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haake, B., Ittekkot, V., Rixon, T., Ramaswami, V., Nair, R.R., Curry, W.B. (1993) Seasonality and inter-annual variability of particle fluxes to the deep Arabian Sea. Deep-Sea Res. Part -I, v.40, pp.1323–1344.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Honjo, S., Dymond, J., Prell, W. and Ittekkot, V. (1999). Monsoon controlled export fluxes to the interior of the Arabian Sea. Deep-Sea Res Part-II, v.46, pp.1859–1902.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Howard, W.R. and Prell, W.L. (1994) Late Quaternary CaCO3 production and preservation in the Southern Ocean: implications for oceanic and atmospheric carbon cycling. Paleoceanography, v.9, pp.453–482.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jacobs, L. Emerson, S. and Huested, S.S. (1987) Trace metal geochemistry in the Cariaco Trench. Deep-Sea Res, v.34, pp.965–981.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Madhupratap, M., Prasanna Kumar, S., Bhattathiri, P.M.A., Dileep Kumar, M., Raghukumar, S., Nair, K.K.C. and Ramaiah, N. (1996) Mechanism of the biological response to winter cooling in the northeastern Arabian Sea. Nature, v.384, pp.549–552.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moreno, A., Nave, S., Kuhlmann, H., Canals, M., Targarona, J., Fredenthal, T. and Abrantes, F. (2002). Productivity response in the North Canary Basin to climate changes during the last 250000 yrs: a multi-proxy approach. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., v.196, pp.147–159.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Muller, P.J. and Suess, E. (1979). Productivity, sedimentation rate and sedimentary organic carbon in the ocean-1.Organic carbon preservation. Deep-Sea Res., v.26A, pp.1347–1362.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Murray, R.W., Leinen, M. and Isern, A.R. (1993). Biogenic flux of Al to sediment in the equatorial Pacific Ocean: Evidence for increased productivity during glacial periods. Paleoceanography, v.8, pp.651–670.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Naidu, P.D. (1991) Glacial to interglacial contrasts in the calcium carbonate content and influence of Indus discharge in two eastern Arabian Sea cores. Palaeogeogr. Palaeoclimatol. Palaeoecol, v.86, pp.255–263.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nair, Balakrishnan, T.M., Ramaswamy, V., Shankar, R. and Ittekkot, V. (1999) Seasonal and spatial variations in settling manganese fluxes in the Northern Arabian sea. Deep-Sea Res., part I, v.46, pp.1827–1839.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nair, R.R., Ittekkot, V., Manganini, S.J., Ramaswamy, V., Haake, B., Degens, E.T., Desai, B.N. and Honjo, S. (1989) Increased particle flux to the deep ocean related to Monsoon. Nature, v.338, pp.749–751.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Naqvi, S.W.A. (1987) Some aspects of oxygen deficient conditions and denitrification of the Arabian Sea. Jour. Mar. Res, v.45, pp.1049–1072.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Narvekar, P.V. and Singbal, S.Y.S. (1993) Dissolved aluminium in the surface microlayer of the eastern Arabian Sea. Mar. Chem., v.42, pp.85–94.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nesbitt, H.W. and Young, G.M. (1982) Early Proterozoic climates and plate motions inferred from major element chemistry of lutites. Nature, v.299, pp.715–717.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paropkari, A.L. (1990) Geochemistry of sediments from the Mangalore-Cochin shelf and upper slope off southwest India: Geological and environmental factors controlling dispersal of elements. Chem. Geol., v.81, pp.99–119.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paropkari, A.L., Iyer, S.D., Chauhan, O.S. and Prakash Babu, C. (1991) Depositional environments inferred from variations of calcium carbonate, organic carbon and sulfide sulfur: a core from southeastern Arabian Sea. Geo-Mar. Lett., v.11, pp.96–102.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pattan, J.N., Masuzawa, T., Naidu, P.D., Parthiban, G. and Yamamoto, M. (2003) Productivity fluctuations in the southeastern Arabian Sea during the last 140 ka. Palaeogeogr. Palaeoclimatol. Palaeoecol., v.193, pp.575–590.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pattan, J.N., Masuzawa, T. and Yamamoto, M. (2005) Variations in terrigenous sediment discharge in a sediment core from southeastern Arabian Sea during the last 140 ka. Curr. Sci., v.8, pp.1421–1425.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pederson, T.F. (1983) Increased productivity in the eastern equatorial Pacific during the last glacial maxima (19000 to14000yr BP). Geol, v.11, pp.16–19.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pederson, T.F. and Calvert, S.E. (1990) Anoxia vs. productivity: what controls the formation of organic carbon rich sediments and sedimentary rocks? Amer. Assoc. Petrol. Geol. Bull., v.74, pp.454–466.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prabhu, C.N., Shankar, R., Anupama, K., Taieb, M., Bonnefille, R., Vidal, L. and Prasad, S. (2004) A 200-ka pollen and oxygen-isotopic record from two sediment Cores from the eastern Arabian Sea. Palaeogeogr., Palaeoclimatol., Palaeoecol., v.214, pp.309–321.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prabhu, C.N. and Shankar, R. (2005) Palaeoproductivity of the eastern Arabian Sea during the past 200 ka: A multi-proxy investigation. Deep-Sea Res. Part II, v.52, pp.1994–2002.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prell, W.L. and Kutzbach, J.E. (1992) Sensitivity of the Indian monsoon to forcing parameters and implications for its evolution. Nature, v.360, pp.647–652.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prins, M.A., Postma, G. and Weltje, G.J. (2000a) Controls on terrigenous sediment supply to the Arabian Sea during the late Quaternary: the Makran continental slope. Mar. Geol., v.169, pp.351–371.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prins, M.A., Postma. G., Cleveringa, J.A., Cramp, A. and Kenyon, N.H. (2000b) Controls on terrigenous sediment supply to the Arabian Sea during the late Quaternary: the Indus Fan. Mar. Geol, v.169, pp.326–349

    Google Scholar 

  • Qasim, S.Z. (1982) Oceanography of the northern Arabian Sea. Deep-Sea Res, v.29, pp.1041–1068

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ramaswamy, V., Nair, R.R., Manganini, S.J., Haake, B. and Ittekkot, V. (1991) Lithogenic fluxes to the deep Arabian Sea measured by sediment traps. Deep-Sea Res, v.38, pp.169–184.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reichart, G.J., Lourens, L.J. and Zachariasse, W.J. (1998) Temporal variability in the northern Arabian Sea OMZ during the last 225,000 years. Paleoceanography, v.13, pp.607–621.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rostek, F., Bard, E., Beafort, L., Sonzogni, C. and Ganssen, G. (1997) Sea surface temperature and productivity record for the past 240 kys in the Arabian Sea. Deep-Sea Res., Part-II, v.44, pp.1461–1480.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sarnthein, M., Winn, K. and Zahn, R. (1987) Productivity of ocean upwelling and the effect on atmospheric CO2 and climate change during deglaciation times. In: W.H. Berger and L.D. Laberyrie (Eds.), Abrupt Climate Change. Reidel, Dordrecht, pp.311–337.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Schubler, U., Balzer, W. and Deeken, A. (2005) Dissolved Al distribution, particulate Al fluxes and coupling to atmospheric Al and dust deposition in the Arabian Sea. Deep-Sea Res., Part-II, v.52, pp.1862–1878.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shankar, R., Subba Rao, K.V. and Kolla, V. (1987) Geochemistry of surface sediments from the Arabian Sea. Mar. Geol, v.76, pp.253–280.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shimmield, G.B., Mowbray, S.R. and Weedon, G.P. (1990) A 350 ka history of the Indian southwest monsoon-evidence from deep sea cores, northwest Arabian Sea. Trans. Roy. Soc. Edinburgh: Earth Sci., v.81, pp.289–299.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sirocko, F. and Sarnthein, M. (1989) Wind born deposits in the NW Indian Ocean: record of Holocene sediments versus modern satellite data. In: M. Leinen and M. Sarnthein (Eds.), Palaeoclimatology and Paleometerology: Modern and Past Patterns of Global Atmospheric Transport, 401-33, NATO Advanced Research Workshop. Norwalk, MA: Kluwer Academic Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sirocko, F., Sarnthein, M., Erlenkeuser, H., Lange, H., Arnold, M. and Duplessy, J.C. (1993) Century-scale events in monsoonal climate over the past 24,000 years. Nature, v.364, pp.322–324.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sirocko, F., Schonberg, D.G. and Devey, C. (2000) Processes controlling trace element geochemistry of Arabian Sea sediments during the last 25,000 years. Global Planet. Change, v.26, pp.217–303.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wyrkti, K. (1973). Physical oceanography of the Indian Ocean. In: B. Zeitzschel (Ed.), The Biology of the Indian Ocean. Springer, Berlin, pp.18–36.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula, 403 004, Goa, India

    Ahmad Mir Ishfaq, J. N. Pattan & V. K. Banakar

  2. Department of Marine Sciences, Goa University, Taleigao Plateau, Goa, 403 206, India

    V. M. Matta

Authors
  1. Ahmad Mir Ishfaq
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. N. Pattan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. V. M. Matta
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. V. K. Banakar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to J. N. Pattan.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ishfaq, A.M., Pattan, J.N., Matta, V.M. et al. Variation of paleo-productivity and terrigenous input in the Eastern Arabian Sea during the past 100 ka. J Geol Soc India 81, 647–654 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-013-0086-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-013-0086-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation