LATE QUATERNARY PALEOTEMPERATURE OSCILLATIONS IN THE NORTH-ATLANTIC TROPICAL ZONE (FROM PLANKTONIC FORAMINIFERS)

Distribution of planktonic forminiferal tests was studied in 15 Late Quaternary sediment cores from the African continental slope, the Canary and Cape Verde basins, and Mid-Atlantic Ridge slopes. In all cores, essential variations in the relationship between planktonic foraminiferal species were noted as reflecting oscillations in the annual average temperature of the surface water. The difference in temperatures of the present time and of the maximum of the last continental glaciation stadial (nearly 18,000 yr B.P.) ranges from 8.5.degree. C in the zone of influence of the Canary upwelling to the minimum values of 2.degree. C in the central region of the ocean in the southern part of the subtropical gyre. Temperature difference between the Holocene optimum and 18,000 yr B.P. is from 10-3.degree. C. Age estimates are supported by radiocarbon datings.