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We present a detailed history of glacial to Holocene radiocarbon in the deep western North Atlantic from deep-sea corals and paired benthic-planktonic foraminifera. The deglaciation is marked by switches between radiocarbon-enriched and -depleted waters, leading to large radiocarbon gradients in the water column. These changes played an important role in modulating atmospheric radiocarbon. The deep-ocean record supports the notion of a bipolar seesaw with increased Northern-source deep-water formation linked to Northern Hemisphere warming and the reverse. In contrast, the more frequent radiocarbon variations in the intermediate/deep ocean are associated with roughly synchronous changes at the poles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In contrast to the relatively stable climate of the past 10,000 years, during glacial times the North Atlantic region experienced large-amplitude transitions between cold (stadial) and warm (interstadial) states. In this modeling study, we demonstrate that hydrological interactions between the Atlantic thermohaline circulation (THC) and adjacent continental ice sheets can trigger abrupt warming events and also limit the lifetime of the interstadial circulation mode. These interactions have the potential to destabilize the THC, which is already more sensitive for glacial conditions than for the present-day climate, thus providing an explanation for the increased variability of glacial climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study which demonstrated that a marine sediment core from the Iberian margin was affected by cooling and advection of arctic water masses during some Heinrich events in the North Atlantic region as of August 2000. Implications of high-resolution paleoclimatic records to glacial climate; Influence of Heinrich events.

Focuses on the process involved in the occurrence of the last interglacial. How deep-sea sediments provide information on past global climates; Information on the occurrence of the first major invasion of cool waters and icebergs into the central North Atlantic; Alternative interpretation of the Eemian demise.