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Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

NOAA/WDS Paleoclimatology - NICOPP Global Ocean Sediment Nitrogen Isotope Database

browse graphicPaleoclimatology - Paleoceanography
This archived Paleoclimatology Study is available from the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), under the World Data Service (WDS) for Paleoclimatology. The associated NCEI study type is Paleoceanography. The data include parameters of paleoceanography with a geographic location of Global. The time period coverage is from 4000000 to 0 in calendar years before present (BP). See metadata information for parameter and study location details. Please cite this study when using the data.
  • Cite as: Tesdal, J.-E.; Galbraith, E.D.; Kienast, M. (2013-03-12): NOAA/WDS Paleoclimatology - NICOPP Global Ocean Sediment Nitrogen Isotope Database. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. https://doi.org/10.25921/w9ca-1z10. Accessed [date].
  • Please refer to Credit tab for full citation information.
noaa-ocean-14114
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  • Native Format(s)
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Distributor NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact Data Center Contact
NOAA World Data Service for Paleoclimatology
828-271-4800
paleo@noaa.gov
Coverage Description Date Range: 4000000 cal yr BP to 0 cal yr BP;
Time Period -3998050 to 1950
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -180
East: 180
South: -90
North: 90
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Associated Resources
  • Nitrogen isotopes in bulk marine sediment: linking seafloor observations with subseafloor records
    • Associated Reference published 2013
      Tesdal, J.-E., E.D. Galbraith, and M. Kienast, 2013: Nitrogen isotopes in bulk marine sediment: linking seafloor observations with subseafloor records. Biogeosciences, 10, 101-118, 10.5194/bg-10-101-2013
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2013-03-12
Data Presentation Form Digital table - digital representation of facts or figures systematically displayed, especially in columns
Dataset Progress Status Complete - production of the data has been completed
Data Update Frequency Data update frequency not available
Supplemental Information
STUDY NOTES: Nitrogen Cycle in the Ocean, Past and Present (NICOPP) database of global ocean marine sedimentary d15N measurements, from both seafloor samples and subseafloor records. NICOPP is a joint working group of PAGES and IMAGES. NICOPP studies Nitrogen isotope (d15N) dynamics as recorded in the sedimentary record in order to learn about the dynamics of the marine nutrient cycle in the Quaternary and the present. For the seafloor compilation, d15N is given as point measurements along with the corresponding latitude and longitude. Currently, it contains data from about 2,300 samples. The subseafloor compilation includes almost all bulk marine sedimentary d15N records published in the literature. Along with the d15N measurements, we included the corresponding sediment depth, a published age model (if available), nitrogen content (N%), total organic carbon content (Corg%), and dry bulk density. There are currently about 140 d15N records included in the database. The timespans of the given records range from a few hundred years to four million years. More information on NICOPP: http://pastglobalchanges.org/science/wg/former/nicopp/
ABSTRACT SUPPLIED BY ORIGINATOR: The stable isotopes of nitrogen offer a unique perspective on changes in the nitrogen cycle, past and present. However, the presence of multiple forms of nitrogen in marine sediments can complicate the interpretation of bulk nitrogen isotope measurements. Although the large-scale global patterns of seafloor d15N have been shown to match process-based expectations, small-scale heterogeneity on the seafloor, or alterations of isotopic signals during translation into the subseafloor record, could obscure the primary signals. Here, a public database of nitrogen isotope measurements is described, including both seafloor and subseafloor sediment samples ranging in age from modern to the Pliocene, and used to assess these uncertainties. In general, good agreement is observed between neighbouring seafloor sites within a 100 km radius, with 85% showing differences of < 1 per mil. There is also a good correlation between the d15N of the shallowest (< 5 ka) subseafloor sediments and neighbouring seafloor sites within a 100 km radius (R2 = 0.83), which suggests a reliable translation of sediments into the buried sediment record. Meanwhile, gradual d15N decreases over multiple glacial-interglacial cycles appear to reflect post-depositional alteration in records from the deep sea (below 2000 m). We suggest a simple conceptual model to explain these 100-kyr-timescale changes in well-oxygenated, slowly accumulating sediments, which calls on differential loss rates for pools of organic N with different d15N. We conclude that bulk sedimentary nitrogen isotope records are reliable monitors of past changes in the marine nitrogen cycle at most locations, and could be further improved with a better understanding of systematic post-depositional alteration. Furthermore, geochemical or environmental criteria should be developed in order to effectively identify problematic locations and to account for confounding influences where possible.
Purpose Records of past climate and ocean circulation derived from marine sediments. Parameter keywords describe what was measured in this dataset. Additional summary information can be found in the abstracts of papers listed in the dataset citations.
Dataset Citation
  • Cite as: Tesdal, J.-E.; Galbraith, E.D.; Kienast, M. (2013-03-12): NOAA/WDS Paleoclimatology - NICOPP Global Ocean Sediment Nitrogen Isotope Database. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. https://doi.org/10.25921/w9ca-1z10. Accessed [date].
  • Please cite original publication, online resource, dataset and publication DOIs (where available), and date accessed when using downloaded data. If there is no publication information, please cite investigator, title, online resource, and date accessed. The appearance of external links associated with a dataset does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Commerce/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of external Web sites or the information, products or services contained therein. For other than authorized activities, the Department of Commerce/NOAA does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. These links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of this Department of Commerce/NOAA Web site.
Cited Authors
  • Tesdal, J.-E.
  • Galbraith, E.D.
  • Kienast, M.
Originators
  • Tesdal, J.-E.
  • Galbraith, E.D.
  • Kienast, M.
Publishers
  • NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Theme keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
  • Earth Science > Paleoclimate > Ocean/Lake Records
  • Earth Science > Climate Indicators > Paleoclimate Indicators > Ocean/Lake Records
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
  • earth science > paleoclimate > paleoceanography
  • earth science > paleoclimate > paleoceanography
  • earth science > paleoclimate > paleoceanography
  • earth science > paleoclimate > paleoceanography
  • earth science > paleoclimate > paleoceanography
  • earth science > paleoclimate > paleoceanography
  • earth science > paleoclimate > paleoceanography
  • earth science > paleoclimate > paleoceanography
  • earth science > paleoclimate > paleoceanography
  • earth science > paleoclimate > paleoceanography
  • earth science > paleoclimate > paleoceanography
  • earth science > paleoclimate > paleoceanography
  • earth science > paleoclimate > paleoceanography
  • earth science > paleoclimate > paleocean > nitrogen isotopes
  • biogeochemical cycles
Paleoenvironmental Standard Terms (PaST) Thesaurus
  • What: notes; Material: null
  • What: latitude; Material: null
  • What: density; Material: dry sediment
  • What: notes; Material: null
  • What: delta 15N; Material: sediment
  • What: nitrogen; Material: sediment
  • What: organic carbon; Material: sediment
  • What: age; Material: null
  • What: notes; Material: null
  • What: depth; Material: null
  • What: notes; Material: null
  • What: collection water depth; Material: null
  • What: longitude; Material: null
Data Center keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Place keywords
  • Geographic Region > Global > Global > LATITUDE > LONGITUDE
Use Constraints
  • Cite as: Tesdal, J.-E.; Galbraith, E.D.; Kienast, M. (2013-03-12): NOAA/WDS Paleoclimatology - NICOPP Global Ocean Sediment Nitrogen Isotope Database. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. https://doi.org/10.25921/w9ca-1z10. Accessed [date].
  • Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose.
  • Please cite original publication, online resource, dataset and publication DOIs (where available), and date accessed when using downloaded data. If there is no publication information, please cite investigator, title, online resource, and date accessed. The appearance of external links associated with a dataset does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Commerce/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of external Web sites or the information, products or services contained therein. For other than authorized activities, the Department of Commerce/NOAA does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. These links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of this Department of Commerce/NOAA Web site.
Access Constraints
  • Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives.
  • None
Fees
  • In most cases, electronic downloads of the data are free. However, fees may apply for custom orders, data certifications, copies of analog materials, and data distribution on physical media.
Last Modified: 2023-09-01
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