Holocene history of Pacific Water flux through Bering Strait recorded by smectite abundance and ɛNd-signature in a southern Chukchi Sea cored sequence (original) (raw)

Pacific Water (PW) entering the Arctic through Bering Strait plays a significant role in the freshwater budget of the Arctic Ocean, influencing the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). This study investigates changes in PW flux over the Holocene by analyzing sediment cores from the Chukchi Sea, using proxies such as smectite abundance and ɛNd-signatures. Results show that smectite content and exchangeable ɛNd-values decrease northward, indicating their sensitivity to variations in PW flux. The data reveal a swift transition in sediment properties around 10 to 4 ka BP corresponding to sea-level rise, followed by a gradual trend towards modern values. The findings suggest that substantial PW export from the Arctic towards the North Atlantic may have occurred around 5 ka BP, providing insights into past oceanographic conditions and their implications for the AMOC.