Paleoceanography of the Mauritanian margin during the last two climatic cycles: From planktonic foraminifera to African climate dynamics

The last 220 ka of the MD03-2705 (18° 05.81′ N–21° 09.19′ W) sedimentary sequence, retrieved off the Cape Verde islands, was investigated using a multiproxy approach. Planktonic foraminifera assemblage analyses, coupled with isotopic measurements (δ¹⁸O) from benthic (Planulina wuellerstorfi) and planktonic (Globigerinoides ruber) foraminifera monospecific samples were conducted along the topmost 11 m of the sequence. High resolution X-ray fluorescence measurements (0.5 cm resolution), giving access to major element ratio, have completed the geochemical analyses along the core. Seasonal and annual past sea surface temperatures (SST) were quantitatively reconstructed. Local sea-surface salinity (SSS) changes were then estimated by coupling SST with planktonic δ¹⁸O data. Our data provide a set of both oceanic and continental markers of environmental changes along the north-western African margin. The major changes detected in our record are discussed in the light of the regional paleoceanographic and paleoclimatic history of the last 220 ka. Coupled oceanographic and atmospheric processes portray the climatic evolution of the area, and show strong links among the regional oceanography (water mass advection), the upwelling dynamics and the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) migration. An increased upwelling activity (or influence of upwelling filaments) is noted at the end of the two last glacial periods, probably in response to a more southerly position of the ITCZ. Higher SSS are recorded over the area during arid intervals and were tentatively interpreted as signing a southward shift of the Cape Verde Frontal Zone. A detailed coupling between dust advection and SSS values over the site of study was noted during MIS6.5.