Results of isotopic analysis of planktonic foraminifera from sediment core 189 of the Swedish Deep-Sea Expedition (Table I)

For temperature investigations, a core in the Mediterranean Sea (No 189 of the Swedish Deep-Sea Expedition 1947-1948) was sampled at approximately 10 m intervals. Globigerina dubia, G. inflata and Globigerinoides rubra were seperated from each sample and their test were investigated for stable oxygen isotopic measurement. Oxygen isotopic analysis showed the following:1) Ten stages are indicated.2) The temperature minimum of stage 2 corresponds to a racliocarbon age of 17,200 years.3) Temperature maxima of odd stages are about equal to the modern August mean, except that of stage 5 which is considerably higher and, probably reflects the influx of ice melt water.4) Temperature minima of even stages are all very low, especially that of stage 2, and reflect conditions similar to those now prevailing around Newfoundland.5) The temperature record indicates that during most of the time covered by the core, the Mediterranean was cooler than at present and that conditions similar to the present occurred only during comparatively short intervals.6) Minor temperature fluctuations occur, especially in the warmer stages, which are of doubtful significance.7) An average rate of sedimentation of 4.3 cm/1000 years is indicated for the whole core.