Morphotype dependence of Globigerinoides ruber (white) and Trilobatus sacculifer Mg/Ca ratios in the western tropical Pacific: implications for reconstructing the mixed-layer depth

Abstract

Planktonic foraminifer Globigerinoides ruber (white) and Trilobatus sacculifer are the most frequently used mixed-layer dwelling species for reconstructing past oceanic environments. Specifically, the Mg/Ca ratios of these two foraminiferal species have been used for reconstructing tropical/subtropical changes in sea surface temperature (SST). However, these two species have different morphotypes, of which the spatial and temporal differences in Mg/Ca ratios and their influencing factors are still unclear. Our objective is to investigate the potential differences between the Mg/Ca ratios of these different morphotypes of G. ruber (white) and T. sacculifer in the western Philippine Sea (WPS) and determine their implications for the reconstruction of SST and upper-ocean structure. Mg/Ca measurements are made on two basic morphotypes of G. ruber (white) [sensu stricto (s.s.) and sensu lato (s.l.)] and T. sacculifer [with (w) and without (w/o) a sac-like final chamber] on samples of Site MD06-3047B from the WPS. Our results reveal that Mg/Ca ratios of different G. ruber morphotypes show consistent differences; and those of T. sacculifer morphotypes show staged variations since MIS 3. It is suggested to select a single morphotype for reconstructing SST changes using the Mg/Ca ratios of G. ruber and T. sacculifer in the WPS. Furthermore, the Mg/Ca ratios between G. ruber s.s. and G. ruber s.l. [Δ(Mg/Ca)_{G.ruber s.s.−s.l.}] downcore MD06-3047B covaries with indexes of summer monsoon. Combining with the core-top results, showing regional variation of differences in the Δ(Mg/Ca)_{G.ruber s.s.−s.l.} over the western tropical Pacific, we propose that Δ(Mg/Ca)_{G.ruber s.s.−s.l.} may tend to reflect summer mixed layer depth.