Glacial-to-interglacial Changes in NADW Fluxes?

Interglacial gradients in delta 13C between Atlantic and Pacific deep waters reflect differences between low-nutrient, 13C-enriched North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW) and high-nutrient, 13C-depleted Pacific Deep Water. Reduced Atlantic-Pacific delta 13C and cadmium gradients at the last glacial maximum have been used to suggest substantial replacement of NADW with nutrient-rich Antarctic Bottom Water (Boyle and Keigwin, 1982; Shackleton et al., 1983). We show that the Atlantic delta 13C signal is linked directly to North Atlantic polar-front migration, as reflected by planktonic foraminiferal faunas.