Plio-Pleistocene sedimentary record from the Northwind Ridge: new insights into paleoclimatic evolution of the western Arctic Ocean for the last 5 Ma

Sediment core HLY0503-03JPC from the top of the Northwind Ridge provides the first confirmed Plio-Pleistocene record from the western Arctic Ocean, with calcareous microfossils uniquely preserved to ca. 5 Ma. Results are compared to nearby core P1-93AR-P23 from the ridge slope, which was previously used to reconstruct early Quaternary sea-ice conditions in the region (Polyak et al. in Quat Sci Rev 79:145–156, 2013), and is now re-dated to at least the late Pliocene. Ages were estimated primarily from strontium isotope stratigraphy on benthic foraminifers. Based on multiple physical, paleomagnetic, elemental geochemical, and paleobiological (foraminifers) proxies, we identify three major stratigraphic divisions (Units 1, 2a, and 2b) roughly representing upper to middle (“glacial”) Quaternary, lower Quaternary to Pliocene, and lower Pliocene to possibly upper Miocene (undated). Benthic foraminiferal assemblages were utilized to evaluate paleo-sea-ice conditions, while other proxies were used to interpret paleocirculation and sediment transport processes. Early Quaternary and older sediments indicate diminutive effect from glaciations, reduced sea-ice conditions, and a periodic strong current impact on the ridge top, possibly due to an enhanced Atlantic water flow. Ages derived from the first foraminiferal tests appearing at ca. 5 Ma likely indicate a redeposition pulse that we attribute to the onset of Pacific water throughflow via the Bering Strait. A large hiatus above this level in JPC3 spans most of the Pliocene. The Unit 2a/1 boundary, estimated to ca. 0.8 Ma, is marked by an abrupt faunal and sedimentary change, which is consistent with the major climatic shift that occurred during this time (Mid-Pleistocene Transition). Unit 1 exhibits a strong control from glacial cyclicity, with a progressive expansion of the Laurentide Ice Sheet primarily affecting the study region, and mostly perennial sea-ice conditions. Overall results suggest that the Pliocene and early Pleistocene may provide relevant paleoclimatic analogs for the rapidly changing Arctic environments of today.