Using algae records from the early Pliocene, when earth’s climate was warmer, scientists are finding evidence which suggests that coastal upwelling off the California coast was sustained in this period even though sea surface temperatures were several degrees higher than today. Long associated with cold water, coastal upwelling is the mechanism responsible for California’s productive waters. It draws cool, nutrient-rich water to the surface, promoting the growth of algae and boosting productivity through the food chain. San Francisco State University Professor Petra Dekens and her team presented results of their analysis today at the American Geophysical Union (AGU) fall meeting in San Francisco.
Dekens also presented research on temperature variations along the California coast during the early Pliocene, providing insight into how climate change may affect the ocean currents that drive regional and global climate patterns, for example the California current which produces California’s coastal fog and cold sea temperatures.
- “Sea Surface Temperature and Upwelling Conditions off Northern California Coast during the early Pliocene.” AGU fall meeting, Dec. 16, 8 a.m. PST.
- “California Current Sea Surface Temperatures in the early Pliocene.” AGU fall meeting, Dec. 16, 8 a.m. PST.
The full AGU program can be found online at: http://www.agu.org/meetings/fm09/program/index.php
ScienceBlog.com has no paywalls, no sponsored content, and no agenda beyond getting the science right. Every story here is written to inform, not to impress an advertiser or push a point of view.
Good science journalism takes time — reading the papers, checking the claims, finding researchers who can put findings in context. We do that work because we think it matters.
If you find this site useful, consider supporting it with a donation. Even a few dollars a month helps keep the coverage independent and free for everyone.