Mediterranean thermohaline circulation sensitivity : lessens from the past for future – MedSens

Funding

MedSens (2020-2023)

Project leader

K. Tachikawa (CEREGE, Aix-Marseille)

C. Colin (PI – GEOPS)

Collaborations

C. Colin (GEOPS), G. Siani (GEOPS), S. Sepulcre (GEOPS), F. Haurine (GEOPS), G. Wei (GEOPS), M. Revel (Géoazur, Nice), K. Tachikawa (CEREGE, Aix-Marseille), L. Vidal (CEREGE), T. de Garidel- Thoron (CEREGE), L. Beaufort (CEREGE), J.C. Dutay (LSCE), G. Ramstein (LSCE), L. Li (LMD).

The objective of MedSens project is to evaluate the Mediterranean Sea circulation sensitivity to hydrological/thermal perturbation under warm and strong seasonality condition which could be an analogue of future climatic conditions. To tackle this issue, we will combine (1) the reconstruction of Mediterranean Sea state during the past perturbation events of strong amplitude using a series of proxies including Nd isotopic compositions recorded in authigenic phases with (2) numerical simulation based on highly-resolved regional (1/8º) proxy-enabled models that can simulate localized convection in the Mediterranean Sea. Our target is organic-rich layers called sapropels that were deposited in stagnant circulation state, in particular sapropel S5 formed during the last interglacial period, the penultimate warm period comparable with near future. We will apply multi-proxy approach (geochemistry and micropaleontology, including new potential proxies) to a series of sediment cores along a large zonal transect in the Mediterranean Sea. The MedSens project is based on consortium of partners with complementary expertise: proxy reconstruction (CEREGE/GEOAZUR and GEOPS) and numerical modelling (LSCE/LMD).

Associated thesis

Amélie Plautre

Gao Guohui

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