In this study, we looked into the thermal evolution of the Southern Ocean during a period of major Antarctic ice sheet growth using two independent temperature proxies (TEX86 and clumped isotopes). We challenge the hypothesis of thermal isolation of Antarctica that has led to the glaciation and suggest a strong coupling between Southern Ocean temperature conditions and Antarctic ice volume in times of declining atmospheric CO2.
As the group leader of theTEX86 group for the MioOCEAN temperature synthesis I collect, compile and evaluate sea surface temperature data sets covering the Miocene. With a team of 9 people, we've collected 42 records from 32 publications. The synthesis will soon be available together with other sea surface temperature proxies.
In this ongoing project I reconstruct past primary productivity and surface nutrient consumption using alkenones and FB-δ15N in IODP Site U1337. The combined biomarker and nitrogen isotope data can be used to assess Pacific equatorial upwelling dynamics across the Miocene.
I currently work on a project that investigates seafloor methane release during Middle Miocene Climate Optimum using lipid biomarkers and compound-specific isotopes. Stay tuned for results!