The influence of Antarctic subglacial volcanism on the global iron cycle during the Last Glacial Maximum

Silvia Frisia (), Laura S. Weyrich, John Hellstrom, Andrea Borsato, Nicholas R. Golledge, Alexandre M. Anesio, Petra Bajo, Russell N. Drysdale, Paul C. Augustinus, Camille Rivard and Alan Cooper
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Silvia Frisia: School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle
Laura S. Weyrich: Australian Centre for Ancient DNA (ACAD), The University of Adelaide
John Hellstrom: School of Earth Sciences, The University of Melbourne
Andrea Borsato: School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle
Nicholas R. Golledge: Antarctic Research Centre, Victoria University of Wellington
Alexandre M. Anesio: Bristol Glaciology Centre, School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol
Petra Bajo: School of Geography, The University of Melbourne
Russell N. Drysdale: School of Geography, The University of Melbourne
Paul C. Augustinus: School of Environment, The University of Auckland
Camille Rivard: European Synchrotron Radiation Facility
Alan Cooper: Australian Centre for Ancient DNA (ACAD), The University of Adelaide

Nature Communications, 2017, vol. 8, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract Marine sediment records suggest that episodes of major atmospheric CO2 drawdown during the last glacial period were linked to iron (Fe) fertilization of subantarctic surface waters. The principal source of this Fe is thought to be dust transported from southern mid-latitude deserts. However, uncertainty exists over contributions to CO2 sequestration from complementary Fe sources, such as the Antarctic ice sheet, due to the difficulty of locating and interrogating suitable archives that have the potential to preserve such information. Here we present petrographic, geochemical and microbial DNA evidence preserved in precisely dated subglacial calcites from close to the East Antarctic Ice-Sheet margin, which together suggest that volcanically-induced drainage of Fe-rich waters during the Last Glacial Maximum could have reached the Southern Ocean. Our results support a significant contribution of Antarctic volcanism to subglacial transport and delivery of nutrients with implications on ocean productivity at peak glacial conditions.

Date: 2017
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms15425

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