Abstract
The depth–time pattern of calcite accumulation recorded at Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) sites beneath the oligotrophic subtropical gyre in the south-east Pacific Ocean allows us to define here both the calcite compensation depth (CCD) and the lysocline. The Neogene CCD history is one of shoaling before 15 or 20 Myr and subsequent deepening to the present level of 4,100 m. A broad zone of increased calcite dissolution, 600 m thick, formed during early to middle Miocene time and has remained. This zone, the lysocline, denotes an important change in ocean chemistry and may reflect either an increase in the volume of more corrosive deep water beginning about 18 Myr and reaching steady state by 14 Myr, the time of rapid ice build-up in Antarctica, or an increase in calcite rain rate caused by an increase in surface-water productivity.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Murray, J. & Renard, A. F. Challenger Expedition Reports, London (1891).
Peterson, M. N. A. Science 154, 1542–1544 (1966).
Berger, W. H. Science 156, 383–385 (1967).
Berger, W. H. Mar. Geol. 8, 111–138 (1970).
Berger, W. H. Deep Sea Res. 15, 31–43 (1968).
Bramlette, M. N. Am. Ass. Adv. Sci. Pub. 67, 345–366 (1961).
Heath, G. R. & Culberson, C. Bull. geol. Soc. Am. 81, 3157–3160 (1970).
Broecker, W. S. & Broecker, S. Soc. Econ. Paleont. Miner., Spec. Publ. 20, 44–57 (1974).
Berger, W. H., Adelseck, C. G. Jr & Mayer, L. A. J. geophys. Res. 81, 2617–2727 (1976).
Heath, G. R. Bull. geol. Soc. Am. 80, 689–694 (1969).
Berger, W. H. Bull. geol. Soc. Am. 84, 1941–1954 (1973).
Sclater, J. G., Anderson, R. N. & Bell, M. L. J. geophys. Res. 76, 7888–7915 (1971).
van Andel, Tj. H. & Bukry, D. Bull. geol. Soc. Am. 84, 2361–2370 (1973).
van Andel, Tj. H. & Moore, T. C. Jr Geology 2, 87–92 (1974).
van Andel, Tj. H., Heath, G. R. & Moore, T. C. Jr Mem. geol. Soc. Am. 143 (1975).
Tracey, J. I. et al. Init. Rep. DSDP 8 (1971).
Yeats, R. S. et al. Init. Rep. DSDP 34(1976).
Leinen, M. et al. Init. Rep. DSDP 92 (in the press).
Rea, D. K. & Leinen, M. Init. Rep. DSDP 92 (in the press).
Bukry, D. Init. Rep. DSDP 34, 715–735 (1976).
van Andel, Tj. H., Thiede, J., Sclater, J. G. & Hay, W. W. J. Geol. 85, 651–698 (1977).
Heath, G. R., Moore, T. C. Jr & van Andel, Tj. H. in The Fate of Fossil Fuel CO2 in the Oceans (eds Andersen, N. R. & Malahoff, A.) 627–639 (Plenum, New York, 1977).
Hsu, K. J., McKenzie, J. A., Oberhansli, H. & Wright, R. C. Init. Rep. DSDP 73, 771–785 (1984).
Savin, S. M. A. Rev. Earth planet Sci. 5, 319–355 (1977).
Kennett, J. P. J. geophys. Res. 82, 3843–3860 (1977).
Vail, P. R., Mitchum, R. M. Jr & Thompson, S. III Mem. Am. Ass. petrol. Geol. 26, 83–97 (1977).
Leinen, M. Bull. geol. Soc. Am. Part II 90, 1310–1376 (1979).
Woodruff, F., Savin, S. M. & Douglas, R. G. Science 212, 665–668 (1981).
Kennett, J. P. & Srinivasan, M. S. Neogene Planktonic Foraminifera, A Phylogenetic Atlas (Hutchinson Ross, Stroudsburg, 1983).
Broecker, W. S. & Peng, T.-H. Tracers in the Sea (Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory, Palisades, 1982).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Rea, D., Leinen, M. Neogene history of the calcite compensation depth and lysocline in the South Pacific Ocean. Nature 316, 805–807 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1038/316805a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/316805a0
- Springer Nature Limited