Western Atlantic Benthic Stable Isotope Data from the Last Glacial Maximum

NOAA/WDS Paleoclimatology archives benthic stable isotope data for the Western Atlantic Ocean during the Last Glacial Maximum. The dataset, curated by NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, provides parameters for paleoceanographic reconstruction. The temporal coverage is defined in calendar years before present, though specific begin and end dates require metadata review.

Use Cases

• Reconstructing past deep-water mass properties and ocean circulation patterns using benthic foraminiferal stable isotope ratios (δ¹⁸O, δ¹³C).
• Calibrating climate model simulations of the Last Glacial Maximum by comparing modeled ocean conditions with proxy-derived isotope data.
• Analyzing the spatial gradient of stable isotopes across the Western Atlantic to infer changes in thermohaline circulation during glacial periods.
• Correlating marine isotope stratigraphy with other paleoclimate records using the provided core location and depth/age data.

Strengths

• Data is archived and maintained by the authoritative NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information under the World Data Service for Paleoclimatology.
• Focuses on the specific, well-studied climatic period of the Last Glacial Maximum, enabling targeted analysis.

Limitations

• Specific row count, column details, and complete temporal coverage (begin/end dates) are unavailable from the provided description.
• Geographic coverage is limited to the Western Atlantic region, which may not represent global ocean conditions during the LGM.

Provenance

Source

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), World Data Service (WDS) for Paleoclimatology.

Collection Method

Data derived from benthic foraminifera stable isotope analysis of marine sediment cores.

Time Range

Last Glacial Maximum (calendar years before present). Specific begin and end dates are unavailable in the description.

Geography

Western Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean.