Eastern Mediterranean water outflow during the Younger Dryas was twice that of the present day

Eastern Mediterranean deep-intermediate convection was highly sensitive to varying inputs of fresh water fluxes associated with increased rainfall during the African Humid period (15-6 kyr Before Present). This study investigates changes in water outflow from the Eastern Mediterranean Sea since the last deglaciation using neodymium isotope ratios. Results indicate enhanced outflow during the Younger Dryas, two times higher than present-day outflow and about three times higher than during the last Sapropel. The increased outflow is attributed to enhanced climate-driven convection in the Aegean Sea and reduced convection of western deep water. These findings provide evidence for an enhanced Younger Dryas westward flow of Eastern Mediterranean waters, intensifying Mediterranean water outflow during a weakened Atlantic circulation.

Sergio Trias-Navarro, Leopoldo David Pena, Maria de la Fuente, Eduardo Paredes, Ester Garcia-Solsona, Jaime Frigola, Albert Català, Antonio Caruso, Fabrizio Lirer, Negar Haghipour, José Noel Pérez-Asensio, Isabel Cacho