Meltwater flux from northern ice-sheets to the mediterranean during MIS 12

Planktonic foraminifer oxygen isotopes through MIS 12 were analysed from Ocean Drilling Program Site 977 in the Alboran Sea. After correction of sea surface temperature (SST) effect on δ18O composition foraminiferal calcite, resulting seawater (δ18Ow) was used to reconstruct variations δ18Ow Atlantic inflow into Mediterranean. A synchronous record KC01B core, Ionian Sea, evaluate changes isotope gradient within Mediterranean due hydrological during 12. Instead glacial enrichment expected for Mediterranean, lower values than today have been observed both and seas, especially between 455 ka end (424 ka). These negative anomalies must caused by a flux freshwater Although largest fraction entered inflow, Heinrich stadials, allowed us identify other sources eastern basin. One these probably meltwater generated at southern margin Fennoscandian ice-sheet that via Caspian Black seas. However, proximity core Adriatic Sea points delivered Alpine transported Po river as main cause 18O depletions.