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Updated: May 2, 2026

Measuring Carbon-based Contaminant Mineralization Using Combined CO2 Flux and Radiocarbon Analyses
Published on: October 21, 2016
Deep ocean carbonate ion increase during mid Miocene CO2 decline.
Sev Kender1, Jimin Yu2, Victoria L Peck3
11] British Geological Survey, Keyworth, Nottingham NG12 5GG, UK [2] Department of Geology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK.
Mid-Miocene cooling and Antarctic ice expansion were linked to rising ocean carbonate ion concentration. This suggests increased alkalinity input, possibly from the Himalayas, influenced the carbon cycle.
Area of Science:
- Paleoceanography
- Climate Science
- Geochemistry
Background:
- The Mid-Miocene (~14 Ma) initiated the modern ice-house world with Antarctic ice sheet expansion.
- Causes remain debated due to poorly constrained carbon cycle dynamics, especially ocean carbonate ion concentration ([CO3(2-)]).
Purpose of the Study:
- Reconstruct relative changes in ocean carbonate ion concentration ([CO3(2-)]).
- Investigate the drivers of Mid-Miocene climate transition.
Main Methods:
- Used benthic foraminiferal B/Ca ratios as a proxy.
- Analyzed samples from the South Atlantic, East Pacific, and Southern Oceans.
Main Results:
- Observed an increase in [CO3(2-)] of ~40 μmol/kg between ~15 and 14 Ma in intermediate to deep waters.
- This increase occurred across multiple ocean basins.
Conclusions:
- The long-term [CO3(2-)] rise suggests enhanced alkalinity input, potentially from the Himalayas.
- This alkalinity input may explain atmospheric CO2 decline preceding the Mid-Miocene ice expansion.
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