| NSF Org: |
OCE Division Of Ocean Sciences |
| Recipient: |
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| Initial Amendment Date: | September 29, 2006 |
| Latest Amendment Date: | August 19, 2009 |
| Award Number: | 0623419 |
| Award Instrument: | Continuing Grant |
| Program Manager: |
Brian Midson
bmidson@nsf.gov (703)292-8145 OCE Division Of Ocean Sciences GEO Directorate for Geosciences |
| Start Date: | October 1, 2006 |
| End Date: | September 30, 2010 (Estimated) |
| Total Intended Award Amount: | $0.00 |
| Total Awarded Amount to Date: | $316,987.00 |
| Funds Obligated to Date: |
FY 2007 = $100,376.00 FY 2008 = $103,396.00 FY 2009 = $15,406.00 |
| History of Investigator: |
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| Recipient Sponsored Research Office: |
1156 HIGH ST SANTA CRUZ CA US 95064-1077 (831)459-5278 |
| Sponsor Congressional District: |
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| Primary Place of Performance: |
1156 HIGH ST SANTA CRUZ CA US 95064-1077 |
| Primary Place of
Performance Congressional District: |
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| Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): |
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| Parent UEI: |
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| NSF Program(s): | Marine Geology and Geophysics |
| Primary Program Source: |
app-0107 01000809DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT 01000910DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT |
| Program Reference Code(s): |
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| Program Element Code(s): |
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| Award Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Fund Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Assistance Listing Number(s): | 47.050 |
ABSTRACT
THE ROLE AND RESPONSE OF THE TROPICAL PACIFIC THERMOCLINE IN PLIO-PLEISTOCENE CLIMATE TRENDS AND OBLIQUITY CYCLES
Today, the 'normal' mean state of the tropical Pacific is temporarily perturbed by short-lived El Nino events, which have global climate effects. However, there is growing evidence that the mean state has not been stable over long (geologic) timescales due to changes in sub-surface oceanic (thermocline) conditions, and that changes in the mean state have profound global climate effects that could explain the onset of the ice ages. The proposed study will focus on the last 5 Ma of earth history, which includes the early Pliocene warm period, the most recent period of sustained global warmth relative to today, and the global cooling that led to the ice ages. This project will test the hypotheses that 1) the early Pliocene warm period included El Nino-like mean conditions and the transition to cooler ice age climate was accompanied by a gradual shoaling of the thermocline and a switch from permanent 'El Nino-like' to modern 'normal' conditions and 2) higher frequency (41 kyr, glacial-interglacial) sea surface temperature (SST) variability in the tropical Pacific is related to changes in thermocline conditions.
To address these hypotheses, we will analyze the elemental (Mg/Ca) and stable isotope composition of fossil foraminifera as well as organic biomarkers and sediment composition from deep sea sediments to reconstruct SST, precipitation, wind strength, and thermocline depth. This study will contribute to a fundamental understanding of the role of tropical Pacific processes in global climate change and will provide a data set for modelers to improve our interpretations and test their hierarchy of models. A graduate student and undergraduates will conduct research on this project. Research-based learning is encouraged for undergraduates. The PI's are involved with initiatives and/or established programs to increase student diversity and to expose high school students to cutting-edge science.
PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED AS A RESULT OF THIS RESEARCH
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