Grain size distribution, Ca/Fe ratios and elemental composition of sediment core GS13-182-CC, Norwegian continental margin

Here, we exploit a suggested anti-correlation of North Atlantic Oscillation-phase and north-eastern North Atlantic primary productivity by investigation of south-eastern Norwegian Sea sediment cores spanning the last 8000 years. Age model uncertainties between 2 and 13 years for the period 1992-1850 AD allows for proxy to observational data calibration.

Our data suggest that Ca/Fe core-scanning results reflect sedimentary CaCO3-variability in the region. Cross-correlating the Ca/Fe record with nearby phytoplankton counts and dissolved O2 data, suggests that Ca/Fe can be used as a proxy for primary productivity variability in the region. Our data support an anti-correlation of primary productivity to the winter North Atlantic Oscillation index.