Variations in seawater Sr/Ca recorded in deep-sea bamboo corals

Abstract

A depth transect of deep-sea bamboo corals along the California margin provides evidence that coral strontium to calcium ratios (Sr/Cacoral) record seawater Sr/Ca ratios (Sr/Casw). A calibration was constructed utilizing Sr/Cacoral ratios and previously published Pacific Sr/Casw data (R 2 = 0.53, n = 12, p < 0.01): Sr/Ca coral (mmol/mol) = 4.62*Sr/Ca sw (mmol/mol) - 36.64. Sr/Casw is ultimately governed by the remineralization of Sr-containing shells of surface water-derived marine organisms (e.g., Acantharia) at intermediate water depths. California margin Sr/Ca coral records from 792 and 1295 m document fluctuations in Sr/Ca sw that appear decadal-scale. These results suggest that Sr/Ca sw may not be as stable as previously assumed and may be influenced by surface productivity on short timescales. © 2012. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved.