Journal of Coastal Research

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Journal of Coastal Research 24(5):1092-1109. 2008
doi: 10.2112/08A-0003.1

High-Resolution Foraminiferal, Isotopic, and Trace Element Records from Holocene Estuarine Deposits of San Francisco Bay, California

Mary McGann

U.S. Geological Survey, Coastal and Marine Geology, 345 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025, U.S.A.,

Abstract

A 3.5-m gravity core (DJ6-93SF-6) from San Francisco Bay reveals a complex paleoclimatic history of the region over the last 3870 cal YBP. A polynomial equation based on 11 AMS 14C ages provides an excellent age model for the core, and environmental proxies for water temperature and salinity are derived from various foraminiferal abundances, stable carbon and oxygen isotopes, and Mg/Ca ratios. Two foraminiferal associations were identified by Q-mode cluster analysis: a colder-water Elphidium excavatum association and the warmer-water Ammonia beccarii–Elphidium gunteri association. The E. excavatum association dominates the core for all but about 600 years out of the last four millennia.

At 3870 cal YBP, water temperatures were warm (13.9°C) and freshwater inflow was reduced compared with today. From 3590 to 2860 cal YBP, temperatures dropped 0.5°C and the climate remained dry. This was followed by a period of pronounced lower δ13C values, indicating that conditions became considerably wetter from 2860 to 2170 cal YBP. During this interval, the temperature oscillated frequently, peaking at 13.9°C at 2710 cal YBP, then dropping shortly thereafter to 12.8°C at 2420 cal YBP. Freshwater inflow gradually decreased between 2170 and 1950 cal YBP with a minimal rise in temperature, then changed quickly to colder and wetter conditions at 1900 cal YBP. Drier conditions then prevailed until 1480 cal YBP with water temperatures fluctuating between 13.1°C and 13.8°C, followed by wetter climate from 1480 to 1320 cal YBP.

A significant faunal shift from the E. excavatum association to the A. beccarii–E. gunteri association occurred from 1250 to 650 cal YBP, possibly due to regional warming, decreased oxygen availability, and/or a change in the phytoplankton community. Associated with this change in faunal composition were warm and dry conditions, representative of the Medieval Warm Period (Medieval Climatic Anomaly). A climatic shift coincident with the onset of the Little Ice Age (LIA I and LIA II) is evident from 650 to 280 cal YBP, with the return of the E. excavatum association and an extreme drop in δ18O values, all indicating increased precipitation and fresh water inflow. This was followed by generally drier conditions to the present, except for a brief wet period around 100 cal YBP, and fairly consistent water temperatures in the middle 13°C, except for a drop to 12.8°C at 200 cal YBP.

Two significant faunal changes occur near the top of the core. First, there is the reappearance of the A. beccarii–E. gunteri association, suggesting that, once again, regional warming has taken place, oxygen availability has declined, and/or environmental conditions changed such that diatoms have become a scarce food source. Second, there is the first appearance of the invasive Japanese foraminifera Trochammina hadai Uchio, a species that commonly lives in highly polluted areas and is an indicator of eutrophication in its native estuaries. At the same time, freshwater inflow decreased, which may be explained by global warming during the last 100 years, or more likely due to modern water diversion for agriculture in the central valley of California.

Received: 20 February 2008; Accepted: 20 February 2008

Keywords: Climate, San Francisco Bay, Holocene, foraminifers, isotopes, trace metals, Medieval Warm Period, Little Ice Age



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Figure 1. San Francisco Bay estuary, showing the location of core DJ6-93SF-6 and the location of previous study sites, including China Camp, Petaluma Marsh, Peyton Hill, Rush Ranch, and Brown's Island.

Figure 2. Core depth (cm) plotted versus age (cal YBP) in core DJ6-93SF-6.

Figure 3. Sediment thickness (cm) plotted versus age (cal YBP) in core DJ6-93SF-6. Sedimentation rate calculated in mm/yr based on the age-depth model.

Figure 4. Percentage abundance of the benthic foraminifera plotted with depth and estimated age (cal YBP) in core DJ6-93SF-6. Shaded regions correspond to the occurrence of the Ammonia beccarii–Elphidium gunteri association (Cluster B).

Figure 5. Q-mode cluster diagram of the 36 samples (depth in cm) from core DJ6-93SF-6. The samples were grouped into two clusters (A: Elphi-dium excavatum association; B: Ammonia beccarii–Elphidium gunteri association) and one outlier (C: Trochammina hadai).

Figure 6. Ammonia–Elphidium (A-E) Index plotted with depth and estimated age (cal YBP) in core DJ6-93SF-6. Shaded regions correspond to the occurrence of the Ammonia beccarii–Elphidium gunteri association (Cluster B).

Figure 7. Mg/Ca ratios of Elphidium excavatum and temperature plotted with depth and estimated age (cal YBP) in core DJ6-93SF-6. Shaded regions correspond to the occurrence of the Ammonia beccarii–Elphidium gunteri association (Cluster B).

Figure 8. Sr/Ca ratios of Elphidium excavatum plotted with depth and estimated age (cal YBP) in core DJ6-93SF-6. An increase in the Sr/Ca ratio may be a proxy for increasing temperature and salinity. Shaded regions correspond to the occurrence of the Ammonia beccarii–Elphidium gunteri association (Cluster B).

Figure 9. δ18O (A) and δ13C (B) relative to VPDB standard plotted with estimated age (cal YBP) and depth in core DJ6-93SF-6. Shaded regions correspond to the occurrence of the Ammonia beccarii–Elphidium gunteri association (Cluster B).

Figure 10. Estimated values of δ13C and δ18O in south bay water as a function of mixing between sea water and river water. Oxygen isotopic values (relative to VSMOW) versus salinity (filled squares) are for waters collected in March, 1992, as reported in Ingram et al. (1996c).

Figure 11. Values of δ13C plotted against δ18O (relative to VPDB standard) for core DJ6-93SF-6.

table

Table 1. Estimated sediment age (cal YBP and years BC/AD), species abundances, Ammonia–Elphidium (A-E) index, and Q-mode cluster grouping of the benthic foraminifers in core DJ6-93SF-6. Species abundances are given as percentage of the total benthic foraminiferal fauna

table

Table 2. Radiocarbon data for benthic foraminiferal samples from core DJ6–93SF-6. Calendar ages determined using a ΔR = 323 ± 52 following Stuiver et al., 1998.

table

Table 3. Estimated core age (cal YBP), stable isotopes, and trace elements measured in Elphidium excavatum with depth in core DJ6-93SF-6. Trace element data are not available for samples 320–318 cm and 330–328 cm.

table

Table 4. Estimated core age (cal YBP and years BC/AD), Mg/Ca ratios, and oxygen isotope values measured in Elphidium excavatum, estimated water temperature and salinity, Q-mode cluster grouping, and climatic period with depth in core DJ6-93SF-6. LIA I = early Little Ice Age and LIA II = late Little Ice Age. Water temperature not estimated for sample from 1–2.5 cm because of suspected sample contamination. Mg/Ca data are not available for samples 320–318 cm and 330–328 cm

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