Benthic stable isotopes and XRF element counts of IODP Sites 342-U1408 and 342-U1410

Abstract

Contourite drift deposits characterise the middle Eocene sequences of International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) Site U1408 and Site U1410 (Newfoundland Ridge, North Atlantic, IODP Expedition 342). The onset of contourite deposition occurred at both Sites around 47 Ma, when an order-of-magnitude increase in terrigenous mass accumulation rate resulted in high overall sedimentation rates (>2 cm/kyr) and a sedimentary system sensitive to astronomical insolation forcing. The Expedition science party joined forces to obtain cm-resolution benthic isotope data, as well as X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) core scans for this unique Eocene sedimentary archive. This dataset contains high-resolution benthic foraminiferal stable isotope records (N = 3424) and X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) derived elemental ratios (N = 9662). These proxy record are presented along a new two-site composite section and a robust stratigraphic framework that acknowledges the fragmentary nature of the individual IODP Sites.