Climate-driven changes in sedimentation rate influence phosphorus burial along continental margins of the northwestern Mediterranean

Two events of high P deposition associated with authigenic P formation, at 335 ka (Paut1) and 275 ka (Paut2), were associated with periods of rapid disintegration of North Atlantic ice sheets leading to Ice Rafted Debris (IRD) deposition. These high P deposition events appear to be linked to short warm periods that followed cold episodes. Enhanced continental runoff owing to more humid conditions during short warm episodes could play a critical role for enhanced biogenic productivity and posterior authigenic P accumulation.