(Table 1) Radiocarbon datings and calendar year calibrations in sediment core MD99-2304, western Svalbard

A multi proxy sediment core record on the continental margin off western Svalbard, European Arctic, reflects large climatic and oceanographic oscillations at the Lateglacial-early Holocene transition. Based on studies of planktonic foraminifera, their stable oxygen and carbon isotopic composition and ice rafted debris, we have reconstructed the last 14 cal. ka BP. The period 14-13.5 cal. ka BP was characterized by highly unstable climatic conditions. Short-lived episodes of warming alternated with meltwater pulses and enhanced iceberg rafting. This period correlates to a regional warming of the northern North Atlantic. An overall decrease in meltwater took place during the deglaciation (14-10.8 cal. ka BP). The late Younger Dryas and subsequent transition into the early Holocene is characterized by a reduced flux of planktonic foraminifera and increased iceberg rafting. A major warming took place from 10.8 to 9.7 cal. ka BP, the influence of meltwater ceased and the flux of warm Atlantic Water increased. From 9.7 to 8.8 cal. ka BP, the western Svalbard margin surface waters were significantly warmer than today. This warm period, the thermal maximum, was followed by an abrupt cooling at 8.8. cal. ka BP, caused by an increased influence of Arctic Water from the Arctic Ocean. The results document that the European Arctic was very sensitive to climatic and oceanographic changes at the end of the last glacial and during the Holocene.

欧洲北极区斯瓦尔巴群岛西侧陆缘的多指标沉积岩芯记录，反映了晚冰期-早全新世过渡期显著的气候与海洋学振荡。基于浮游有孔虫（planktonic foraminifera）、其稳定氧碳同位素组成以及冰筏碎屑（Ice Rafted Debris, IRD）的研究，我们重建了距今14个校准千年BP（cal. ka BP）以来的气候与海洋环境演化序列。14~13.5 cal. ka BP期间，区域气候处于极不稳定状态：短暂的升温事件与融水脉冲、增强的冰山漂流交替出现。该时期与北大西洋北部的区域性升温事件相吻合。在冰消期（14~10.8 cal. ka BP），融水输入通量整体呈下降态势。晚新仙女木期（Younger Dryas）及随后向早全新世的过渡阶段，表现为浮游有孔虫沉积通量降低、冰山漂流碎屑通量升高。10.8~9.7 cal. ka BP期间发生了一次显著升温事件，融水影响完全消退，暖大西洋水（Atlantic Water）的输入通量显著提升。9.7~8.8 cal. ka BP时期，斯瓦尔巴群岛西侧陆缘表层海水温度显著高于现代。这一被称为热盛期（thermal maximum）的暖期之后，在8.8 cal. ka BP发生了一次突发性降温，其成因是北冰洋北极水（Arctic Water）的影响增强。本研究结果表明，欧洲北极区在末次冰期结束阶段及全新世时期，对气候与海洋学变化具有极高的敏感性。