Detailed quantitative analyses of coccolithophore assemblages have been carried out in three sediment cores recovered from different locations in the Atlantic and Mediterranean sectors of the Iberian Peninsula. Biostratigraphical and oxygen isotope analyses show that these cores provide a high-resolution record of most of the last glacial period. Joint interpretation of the results reveals that higher sea surface temperatures (SST) were recorded in the Atlantic side during that interval. Dansgaard-Oeschger Interstadials are the warmer periods, while during Heinrich Events and Dansgaard-Oeschger Stadials SSTs suffered a substantial decrease, probably due to the appearance of turbid, fresher and colder surface water masses. These quantitative differences in the response of coccolithophore assemblages between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean cores indicate that the Mediterranean Sea shows a more intense response to climatic and oceanographic changes than the Atlantic area.

La realización de esta investigación ha sido posible gracias a la concesión de una beca predoctoral del Programa Nacional de Formación de Profesorado Universitario (FPU, Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deportes) a E. Colmenero Hidalgo, y a la financiación de los proyectos REN2003-08642-CO2/CLI y BTE2002-04670 (Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología), SA088/04 (Junta de Castilla y León) y PROMESS 1 (EVR1-T-40024, Comisión Europea). Los autores también agradecen a Jesús Roncero y a José Ignacio Martín Cruz su ayuda en la preparación de muestras.

4 pages, 2 figures.

Peer reviewed