OXYGEN ISOTOPES VERSUS CLIMAP (18 KA) TEMPERATURES - A COMPARISON FROM THE TROPICAL ATLANTIC

Glacial-interglacial differences in delta(18)O values of Globigerinoid es sacculifer have been mapped in the western and central tropical Atl antic using data from surface and core sediments, Glacial-interglacial differences in the western tropical Atlantic, if attributed to temper ature changes only, are at odds with temperature reconstructions perfo rmed by CLIMAP. In the Ceara Rise region Delta delta(18)O values excee ding 2 parts per thousand are recorded. They can only be partly attrib uted to changes in the precipitation-evaporation regime, i,e., higher salinities and O-18-enriched precipitation. An additional cooling of 1 -2 degrees C as compared to CLIMAP's results is required to balance th e delta(18)O record. Thus, temperature changes from glacial to modern times amount to 2-3 degrees C in the tropical Atlantic off the norther n coast of Brazil.