Reconstructing water exchange dynamics using salinity and temperature during the Messinian Salinity Crisis

Abstract

The Messinian Salinity Crisis (MSC) (~5.96–5.33 Ma) remains the subject of continued debate, particularly regarding the extent of Mediterranean isolation, the nature of water exchange through the Gibraltar Strait, and the mechanisms of reflooding—whether gradual or catastrophic. This study, using sediment cores from recent IODP Expedition 401, aims to provide critical data to help resolve these debates by reconstructing salinity gradients and temperature variability across the Atlantic- Mediterranean gateway. Proxies such as archaeol and caldarchaeol ecometric (ACE) and percentage of C37:4 alkenones for salinity, and TEX86 and UK’37 for sea surface temperature (SST), will provide high-resolution records spanning MSC stages of isolation, peak salinity, and reflooding. This study will examine the likelihood of an isolated lake-like western Mediterranean and whether salinity and temperature gradients support a two-step progressive reflooding or a catastrophic Zanclean flood. By addressing key MSC controversies, this research advances understanding of Atlantic-Mediterranean water dynamics, gateway closure, and the environmental impacts of one of Earth’s most extreme paleoceanographic events.

Biography

I developed a strong interest in paleoclimate research during my undergraduate studies at Lanzhou University, where I explored climate evolution using molecular biomarkers. This passion led me to the Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, where I conducted multi-proxy reconstructions of past precipitation, temperature, and wildfire activity using hydrogen isotopes of leaf wax n-alkanes, GDGTs, and PAHs. My research focused on understanding paleoenvironmental changes on the Tibetan Plateau and their broader climatic implications. Currently, I am a Ph.D. student in the Molecular Paleoclimatology and Organic Biogeochemistry lab of Dr. Melissa Berke at the University of Notre Dame. I am expanding my research to marine records, focusing on reconstructing past salinity variations during the Messinian Salinity Crisis. By applying biomarker-based approaches, particularly archaeal lipid indicators such as archaeol, I aim to enhance our understanding of paleosalinity dynamics during this critical period of Mediterranean desiccation. My research will contribute to refining interpretations of past oceanic conditions and their connection to global climate shifts.