The Antarctic Peninsula is sensitive to climatic change due to its northerly position and to the relatively reduced volume and character of its ice cover. High-resolution palaeoclimatic records from the Ant arctic Peninsula ice cores extend back only 500 years. A climatic record of 2850 years in the Bransfield Basin is investigated through the analysis of sediment gravity cores from the floor of the central subbasin (core GEBRA-1) and the slope of the eastern subbasin (core GEBRA-2). Sedimentological, mineralogical and geo chemical properties have been systematically measured, together with Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) radiocarbon dating. The fine-grained sediments result from two main processes: hemipelagic settling from resuspensions and primary productivity, and turbidity currents. Hemipelagic sediments were selected to investi gate the oceanographic and climatic conditions of the northern Antarctic Peninsula region during the last three millennia. Cold climatic periods are characterized by millimetric laminations and/or black layers with higher organic carbon, nitrogen and opal contents. Warm periods are recorded as massive to diffuse laminated facies with lower biogenic contents. The results include the ‘Little Ice Age’ (LIA) cold pulse as well as several 200– 300 year long fluctuations within the LIA and before this major climatic event of the Holocene.
Abelmann, A. and Gersonde, R.1991: Biosiliceous particle flux in the Southern Ocean . Marine Chemistry35, 503–536 .
3.
Anderson, J.B. and Molnia, B.F.1989: Glacial-marine sedimentation: Short course in geology. 28th International Geological Congress, Washington DC, American Geophysical Union , 233–265.
4.
Aristarain, A.J. , Jouzel, J. and Lorius, C.1990: A 400 years isotope record of the Antarctic Peninsula climate . Geophysical Research Letters17, 2369–2372 .
5.
Banfield, L.A. and Anderson, J.B.1995: Seismic facies investigation of the Late Quaternary glacial history of Bransfield Basin, Antarctica. In Cooper, A.K. , Barker, P.F. , Webb, P.N. and Brancolini, G. , editors, Geology and seismic stratigraphy of the Antarctic margin, Washington DC: American Geophysical Union , 123–140.
6.
Bárcena, M.A. , Gersonde, R. , Ledesma, S. , Fabrés, J. , Calafat, A.M. , Canals, M. , Sierro, F.J. and Flores, J.A.1998: Record of Holocene glacial oscillations in the Bransfield Basin as revealed by siliceous microfossil assemblages . Antarctic Science10, 269–285 .
7.
Barker, P.F. , Barret, P.J. , Camerlenghi, A. , Cooper, A.K. , Davey, F.J. , Domack, E.W. , Escutia, C. , Kristoffersen, Y. and O’Brien, P.E.1998: Ice sheet history from Antarctic continental margin sediments: the ANTOSTRAT approach . Terra Antarctica5, 737–760 .
8.
Basterretxea, G. and Arístegui, J.1999: Phytoplankton biomass and production during late austral spring (1991) and summer (1993) in the Bransfield Strait . Polar Biology21, 11–22 .
9.
Biscaye, P.E.1965: Mineralogy and sedimentation of recent deep-sea clay in the Atlantic Ocean and adjacent seas and oceans . Geological Society of America Bulletin76, 803–832 .
10.
Björck, S. , Sandgren, P. and Zale, R.1991: Late Holocene tephrochronology of the Northern Antarctic Peninsula . Quaternary Research36, 322–328 .
11.
Bodungen, B.V. , Smetacek, V.S. , Tilzer, M.M. and Zeitschel, B.1986: Primary production and sedimentation during spring in the Antarctic Peninsula region . Deep-Sea Research33, 177–194 .
12.
Boyce, R.E.1976: Definitions and laboratory determination of compressional sound velocity parameters and wet-water content, wet-bulk density and porosity parameters by gravimetric and gamma-ray attenuation techniques. In Schlanger, S.O. , Jackson, E.D.Boyce, R.E. , Cook, H.E. , Jenkyns, H.C. , Johnson, D.A. , Kaneps, A.G. , Kelts, K.R. , Martini, E. , McNulty, C.L. and Winterer, E.L. , Initial Reports of the Deep Sea Drilling Project, 33, Washington: US Government Printing Office , 931–958.
13.
Calafat, A., Durrieu de Madron, X. and Canals, M. 1997: Registro contínuo de las variaciones de temperatura del agua de fondo en un volcán submarino (Estrecho de Bransfield, Antártida). Boletín de la Real Sociedad Española de História Natural (Sección Geología) 93, 63–71.
14.
Canals, M. and GEBRA ’93 Team 1993: Evolución geológica de la Cuenca de Bransfield y de la Dorsal Sur del Mar Scotia. Universidad de Barcelona, Cruise report, 176 pp.
15.
Crowley, T.J. and Baum, S.K.1995: Is the Greenland Ice Sheet bistable?Paleoceanography10, 357–363 .
16.
Cunningham, W.L. , Leventer, A. , Andrews, J.T. , Jennings, A.E. and Licht, K.J.1999: Late Pleistocene-Holocene marine conditions in the Ross Sea, Antarctica: evidence from the diatom record . The Holocene9, 129–139 .
17.
DeMaster, D.J. , Nelson, T.M. , Harden, S.L. and Nittrouer, C.A.1991: The cycling and accumulation of biogenic silica and organic carbon in Antarctic deep-sea and continental margin environments . Marine Chemistry35, 489–502 .
18.
DeMaster, D.J. , Nelson, T.N. , Nittrauer, C.A. and Harden, S.L.1987: Biogenic silica and organic carbon accumulation in modern Bransfield Strait sediments . Antarctic Journal of the United States22, 108–110 .
19.
Domack, E.W. and Ishman, S.1993: Oceanographic and physiographic controls on modern sedimentation within Antarctic fjords . Geological Society of America Bulletin105, 1175–1189 .
20.
Domack, E.W. and Mayewski, P.A.1999: Bi-polar ocean linkages: evidence from late-Holocene Antarctic marine and Greenland ice-core records . The Holocene9, 247–251 .
21.
Domack, E.W. , Foss, D.J.P. , Syvitski, J.P.M. and McClennen, C.E.1994: Transport of suspended particulate matter in an Antarctic fjord . Marine Geology121, 161–170 .
22.
Domack, E.W. , Mashiotta, T.A. , Burkley, L.A. and Ishman, S.1993: 300-year cyclicity in organic matter preservation in Antarctic fjord sediments. In Kennett, J.P. , Warnke, D.A. , editors, The Antarctic paleoenvironment: a perspective on global change, Washington DC: Antarctic ResearchSeries 60, 265–272.
23.
Dunbar, R.B. , Leventer, A.R. and Mucciarone, D.A.1998: Water column sediment fluxes in the Ross Sea, Antarctica: atmospheric and sea ice forcing . Journal of Geophysical Research103, 30741–30759 .
24.
Ercilla, G. , Baraza, J. , Alonso, M. and Canals, M.1998: Recent geological processes in the Central Bransfield Basin (Western Antarctic Peninsula). In Stoker, M.S. , Evans, D. and Cramps, A. , editors, Geological processes on continental margin sedimentation, mass-wasting and stability, London: Geological Society of London Special Publication 129 , 205–216.
25.
Fabrés, J. 1998: Sedimentología y paleoceanografía del Holoceno reciente de la Cuenca de Bransfield (Antártida Occidental). Ms thesis, University of Barcelona, 129 pp.
26.
Fischer, G. 1989: Stabile kohlenstoff-isotope in partikularer organisher substanz aus dem sudpolrmeer (Atlantischer secktor). PhD dissertation, University of Bremen, 161 pp.
27.
Fischer, G. , Fütterer, D. , Gersonde, R. , Honjo, S. , Ostermann, D. and Wefer, G.1988: Seasonal variability of particle flux in the Weddell Sea and its relation to ice cover . Nature335, 426–428 .
28.
García, M.A. , López, O. , Sospedra, J. , Espino, M. , Gra`cia, V. , Morrison, G. , Rojas, P. , Figa, J. , Puigdefa `bregas, J. and Sánchez-Arcilla, A.1994: Mesoscale variability in the Bransfield Strait region (Antarctica) during Austral summer . Annales Geophysicae12, 856–867 .
29.
Gersonde, R. and Wefer, G.1987: Sedimentation of biogenic siliceous particles in Antarctic waters from the Atlantic sector . Marine Micropaleontology11, 311–332 .
30.
Gordon, J.E. and Harkness, D.D.1992: Magnitude and geographic variation of the radiocarbon content in Antarctic marine life: Implications for reservoir corrections in radiocarbon dating . Quaternary Science Reviews11, 697–708 .
31.
Gràcia, E. , Canals, M. , Farra`n, M. , Prieto, M.J. , Sorribas, J. and GEBRA '93 Team . 1996: Morphostructure and evolution of the Central and Eastern Bransfield basins (NW Antarctic Peninsula) . Marine Geophysical Researches18, 429–448 .
32.
Gra`cia, E. , Canals, M. , Farra`n, M. , Sorribas, J. and Palla`s, R.1997: Central and Eastern Bransfield Basins (Antarctica) from high-resolution swath-bathymetry data . Antarctic Science9, 168–180 .
33.
Griffith, T.W. and Anderson, J.B.1989: Climatic control of sedimentation in bays and fjords of the northern Antarctic Peninsula . Marine Geology85, 181–204 .
Grobe, H. and Mackensen, A.1992: Late Quaternary climatic changes as recorded in sediments from the Antarctic continental margin. In Kennett, J.P. and Warnke, D.A. , editors, The Antarctic paleoenvironment: a perspective on global change, Washington DC: American Geophysical Union , 349–376.
36.
Harden, S.L. , DeMaster, D.J. and Nittrouer, C.A.1992: Developing sediment geochronologies for high-latitude continental shelf deposits: a radiochemical approach . Marine Geology103, 69–97 .
37.
Holler, P.1989: Mass physical properties of sediments from Bransfield Strait and Northern Weddell Sea . Marine Geotechnology8, 1–18 .
38.
Jeffers, J.D. and Anderson, J.B.1990: Sequence stratigraphy of the Bransfield Basin, Antarctica: implications for tectonic history and hydrocarbon potential. In John, B.S. , editor, Antarctica as an exploration frontier: hydrocarbon potential, geology and hazards, Tulsa: AAPG Studies in Geology , 13–29.
39.
Leventer, A.1991: Sediment trap diatom assemblages from the northern Antarctic Peninsula region . Deep-Sea Research38, 1127–1143 .
40.
Leventer, A. , Domack, E.W. , Ishman, S.E. , Brachfeld, S. , McClennen, C.E. and Manley, P.1996: Productivity cycles of 200–300 years in the Antarctic Peninsula region: understanding linkages among the sun, atmosphere, oceans, sea ice, and biota . GSA Bulletin108, 1626–1644 .
41.
López, O. , García, M.A. , Gomis, D. , Rojas, P. , Sospedra, J. and Sán-chez-Arcilla, A.1999: Hydrographic and hydrodinamic characteristics of the eastern basin of the Bransfield Strait (Antarctica) . Deep-Sea ResearchI46, 1755–1778 .
42.
López, O. , García, M.A. and Sánchez-Arcilla, A.1994: Tidal and residual currents in the Bransfield Strait . Annales Geophysicae12, 887–902 .
43.
Manley, P.1996: Productivity cycles of 200–300 years in the Antarctic Peninsula region: understanding linkages among the sun, atmosphere, oceans, sea ice, and biota . Geological Society of America Bulletin108, 1626–1644 .
44.
Mitchell, B.G. and Holm-Hansen, O.1991: Observations and modelling of the Antarctic phytoplankton crop in relation to mixing depth . Deep-Sea Rearch38, 981–1007 .
45.
Mortlock, R.A. and Froelich, P.N.1989: A simple method for the rapid 718 The Holocene 10 (2000) determination of biogenic opal in pelagic marine sediments . Deep-Sea Research36, 1415–1426 .
46.
Niiler, P.P. , Amos, A. and Jian-Hwa, H.1991: Water masses and 200 m relative geostrophic circulation in the western Bransfield Strait region . Deep-Sea Research38, 943–959 .
47.
Orheim, O.1972: Volcanic activity on Deception Island, South Shetland Islands. In Adie, R.J. , editor, Antarctic Geology and Geophysics, Oslo: International Union of Geological Sciences , Series B1, 117–120.
48.
Paterson, S.L. and Sievers, H.A.1980: The Weddell-Scotia confluence . Journal of Physical Oceanography10, 1584–1610 .
49.
Pelayo, A.M. and Wiens, D.A.1989: Seismotectonics and relative plate motions in the Scotia Sea region . Journal of Geophysical Researches94, 7293–7320 .
50.
Prieto, M.J. , Ercilla, G. , Canals, M. and De Batist, M.1999: Seismic stratigraphy of the Central Bransfield Basin (NW Antarctic Peninsula). Interpretation of deposits and sedimentary processes in a glacio-marine environment . Marine Geology157, 47–68 .
51.
Prieto, M.J. , Gra `cia, E. , Canals, M. , Ercilla, G. and De Batist, M.1997: Sedimentary history of the Central Bransfiled Basin (NW Antarctic Peninsula). The Antarctic Region: Geological Evolution and Processes. Proc. VII ISAES, Siena, 711–717.
52.
Pudsey, C.J.1992: Late Quaternary changes in Antarctic Bottom Water velocity inferred from sediments grain size in the northern Weddell Sea . Marine Geology107, 9–33 .
53.
Pudsey, C.J. and Camerlenghi, A.1998: Glacial-interglacial deposition on a sediment drift on the Pacific margin of the Antarctic Peninsula . Antarctic Science10, 286–308 .
54.
Pudsey, C.J. and King, P.1998: Particle fluxes, benthic processes and palaeoenvironmental record in the Northern Weddell Sea . Deep-Sea ResearchI44, 1841–1876 .
55.
Rebesco, M. , Larter, R.D. , Barker, P.F. , Camerlenghi, A. and Vanneste, L.E.1997: History of sedimentation on the continental rise west of the Antarctic Peninsula. In Cooper, A.K. and Barker, P.F. editors, Geology and seismic stratigraphy of the Antarctic margin II, Washington DC: American Geophysical Union , 28–49.
56.
Rutgers van der Loeff, M.M. and Berger, G.W.1991: Scavenging and particle flux: seasonal and regional variations in the Southern Ocean (Atlantic sector) . Marine Chemistry35, 553–567 .
57.
Singer, J.K. 1987: Terrigenous, biogenic, and volcanoclastic sedimentation patterns of the Bransfield Strait and bays of the northern Antarctic Peninsula: implications for the Quaternary glacial history. PhD dissertation, Rice University, 342 pp.
58.
Smellie, J.L.1990: Graham Land and South Shetland Islands. In LeMansurier, W.E. and Thomson, J.W. , editors, Volcanoes of the Antarctic Plate and Southern Oceans, Washington DC: American Geophysical Union , 303–359.
59.
Smith, W.O. and Nelson, D.M.1985: Phytoplankton bloom produced by a receding ice edge in the Ross Sea: Spatial coherence with the density field . Science227, 163–166 .
60.
Van der Borg, K. , Alderliesten, C. , Houston, C.M. , De Jong, A.F.M. and Van Zwol, N.A.1987: Accelerator mass spectrometry with 10Be in Utrecht . Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics ResearchB29, 143–145 .
61.
Wefer, G. , Fischer, G. , Fütterer, D. and Gersonde, R.1988: Seasonal particle flux in the Bransfield Strait, Antarctica . Deep-Sea Research35, 891–898 .
62.
Wefer, G. , Fischer, G. , Fütterer, D.K. , Gersonde, R. , Honjo, S. and Ostermann, D.1990: Particle sedimentation and productivity in Antarctic waters of the Atlantic sector. In Bleil, U. and Thiede, J. , editor, Geological history of the polar oceans: Arctic versus Antarctic, Dordrecht: Kluwer , 363–379.
63.
Whitworth T. III , Nowlin Jr., W.D. , Orsi, A.H. , Locarnini, R.A. and Smith, S.G.1994: Weddell Sea shelf water in the Bransfield Strait and Weddell-Scotia Confluence . Deep-Sea ResearchI41, 629–641 .
64.
Wigley, T.M.L. and Kelly, P.M.1990: Holocene climatic change, 14C wiggles and variations in solar irradiance . Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London330, 547–560 .
65.
Yoon, H.I. , Han, M.W. , Park, B.K. , Han, S.J. and Oh, J.K.1992: Distribution, provenance, and dispersal pattern of clay minerals in surface sediments, Bransfield Strait, Antarctica . Geo-Marine Letters12, 223–227 .
66.
Yoon, H.I. , Han, M.W. , Park, B.K. , Oh, J.K. and Chang, S.K.1994: Depositional environment of near surface sediments, King George Basin, Bransfield Strait, Antarctica . Geo-Marine Letters14, 1–9 .
67.
Yoon, H.I. , Han, M.W. , Park, B.K. , Oh, J.K. and Chang, S.K.1997: Glaciomarine sedimentation and paleo-glacial setting of Maxwell Bay and its tributary embayment, Marian Cove, South Shetland Islands, West Antarctica . Marine Geology140, 265–282 .
68.
Yoon, H.I. , Park, B.K. , Domack, E.W. and Kim, Y.1998: Distribution and dispersal pattern of suspended particulate matter in Maxwell Bay and its tributary, Marian Cove, in the South Shetland Islands, West Antarctica . Marine Geology152, 261–275 .
