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Ocean freshening near the end of the Mesozoic

Author

Listed:
  • Wiesława Radmacher

    (Research Center in Kraków)

  • Igor Niezgodzki

    (Research Center in Kraków)

  • Vicente Gilabert

    (University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU)
    Universidad de Zaragoza)

  • Gregor Knorr

    (Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research)

  • David M. Buchs

    (Cardiff University
    Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute)

  • José A. Arz

    (Universidad de Zaragoza)

  • Ignacio Arenillas

    (Universidad de Zaragoza)

  • Martin A. Pearce

    (Cromwell Road)

  • Jarosław Tyszka

    (Research Center in Kraków)

  • Mateusz Mikołajczak

    (Research Center in Kraków)

  • Osmín J. Vásquez

    (Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala)

  • Sarit Ashckenazi-Polivoda

    (Masada National Park
    Ben-Gurion University of the Negev)

  • Sigal Abramovich

    (Ben-Gurion University of the Negev)

  • Mariusz Niechwedowicz

    (University of Warsaw)

  • Gunn Mangerud

    (University of Bergen)

Abstract

Paleogeographic changes have significantly shaped ocean circulation and climate dynamics throughout Earth’s history. This study integrates geological proxies with climate simulations to assess how ocean gateway evolution influenced ocean salinity near the end of the Mesozoic (~66 Ma). Our modeling results demonstrate that 1) Central American Seaway shoaling reorganizes ocean currents, and 2) Arctic marine gateway restrictions, confining Arctic–Global Ocean exchange exclusively to the Greenland–Norwegian Seaway, drive Arctic Ocean surface freshening and southward outflow of buoyant, low-salinity waters. However, only the combined effect of these two factors leads to both Arctic freshening and increased water mass stratification in the Greenland–Norwegian Seaway, proto-North Atlantic, and the Western Tethys. This scenario aligns with Maastrichtian palynological, micropaleontological, and geochemical records from high- and low-latitude sites. Our findings highlight the profound impact of these latest Cretaceous paleogeographic reconfigurations in altering global salinity patterns, underscoring their role as key drivers of global climate dynamics.

Suggested Citation

  • Wiesława Radmacher & Igor Niezgodzki & Vicente Gilabert & Gregor Knorr & David M. Buchs & José A. Arz & Ignacio Arenillas & Martin A. Pearce & Jarosław Tyszka & Mateusz Mikołajczak & Osmín J. Vásquez , 2025. "Ocean freshening near the end of the Mesozoic," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-15, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-62189-9
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-62189-9
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