Award Abstract # 0729954
SGER: Paleoceanographic Evidence for Changes in Ocean Circulation and the Ecological Effects of Iron Fertilization in the Northeast Pacific (0-20 ka)

NSF Org: OCE
Division Of Ocean Sciences
Recipient: UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
Initial Amendment Date: April 24, 2007
Latest Amendment Date: April 24, 2007
Award Number: 0729954
Award Instrument: Standard Grant
Program Manager: Bilal U. Haq
OCE
 Division Of Ocean Sciences
GEO
 Directorate for Geosciences
Start Date: May 1, 2007
End Date: April 30, 2009 (Estimated)
Total Intended Award Amount: $53,111.00
Total Awarded Amount to Date: $53,111.00
Funds Obligated to Date: FY 2007 = $53,111.00
History of Investigator:
  • Steven Emerson (Principal Investigator)
    emerson@u.washington.edu
  • Amelia Shevenell (Co-Principal Investigator)
Recipient Sponsored Research Office: University of Washington
4333 BROOKLYN AVE NE
SEATTLE
WA  US  98195-1016
(206)543-4043
Sponsor Congressional District: 07
Primary Place of Performance: University of Washington
4333 BROOKLYN AVE NE
SEATTLE
WA  US  98195-1016
Primary Place of Performance
Congressional District:
07
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): HD1WMN6945W6
Parent UEI:
NSF Program(s): Marine Geology and Geophysics
Primary Program Source: app-0107 
Program Reference Code(s): 0000, 9237, OTHR
Program Element Code(s): 162000
Award Agency Code: 4900
Fund Agency Code: 4900
Assistance Listing Number(s): 47.050

ABSTRACT

This project will study the evolution of ocean circulation and biological productivity in the Northeast Pacific during the last glacial-interglacial transition. Published model results invoke the existence of a less well-ventilated, deep water mass enriched in dissolved inorganic carbon during glacial periods in order to help explain the ocean's role in influencing atmospheric pCO2 variability in the past. A clear picture of North Pacific circulation and water column structure during the last glacial period has not been produced to date. This research project seeks to answer fundamental questions about North Pacific oceanography during the glacial-interglacial transition. These include (1) did intermediate water penetrate to greater depths during glacials in the NE Pacific as they did in the NW Pacific; (2) was the age of deep waters in the NE Pacific greater during the last glacial period; and (3) did glacial/interglacial changes in iron input influence North Pacific diatom production? The PI proposes a multiproxy study of a hemipelagic sediment core raised from 2000 meters on the continental margin off the Northwestern United States. Glacial age sediment will be analyzed for its radiocarbon age (using benthic foraminifera) and authigenic trace metal content to quantify redox conditions (U, Re, Mo). Silicon isotope analyses will be conducted on diatoms from both the Cascadia Basin core and from ODP Site 882, which is situated in a demonstrated iron-limited region of the North Pacific, and will be used to shed light on the potential for the novel silicon isotope proxy in the North Pacific. The proposed research includes funds for the professional and scientific development of a postdoctoral researcher and an undergraduate student in the UW School of Oceanography.

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