Toward a high-resolution stable isotope stratigraphy of the last 3.4 million years: Sites 658 and 659 off northwest Africa

Abstract

Ocean Drilling Program Site 658, cored below a major upwelling cell offshore Cap Blanc, contains a largely undisturbed hemipelagic sediment section spanning the Brunhes Chron and the early Quaternary and late Pliocene. The companion Site 659 recovered a complete and undisturbed Neogene profile further offshore that serves as a nonupwelling pelagic reference section. Oxygen and carbon isotope ratios in benthic (C. wuellerstorfi and in part Uvigerina sp) and planktonic forminifers (G. inflata) provide a climatic record of high resolution for the Brunhes Chron. At Site 658 the record extends back to the early Pleistocene and late Pliocene. -from Authors