Response of the Eq. Pacific to Quaternary Climate Change: Sedimentary Chemical Evidence For Glacial-Interglacial Contrasts In Productivity, Chemical Transport Rate, and Terrigenous Influence Chemical indicators of productivity, chemical transport rate, and terrigenous flux will be used to determine the biogeochemical response of the central equatorial Pacific Ocean to Quaternary climate change. The strategy involves the analysis of downhole records along a latitudinal transect. Sedimentary chemistry will be done on 15 m long piston cores recovered at 2 degree S, 0 degree, 2 degree N, 5 degree N, along a transect at 140 degree W, thus covering the sharp equatorial gradients in productivity and associated depositional and diagenetic processes. Studies will also cover the effect of the dominant aeolian source of terrigenous particulate matter (the intertropical convergence of the tradewinds, at 5 degree N). Downhole sampling strategy will result in resolution of < 7 ky for the past 1 Ma. Interactive behavior of the three major biogenic components (CaCO3, Corg, opal), the aeolion component, and an extensive suite 40 major, trace, and rare earth elements will be assessed.
