Sustained mid-Pliocene warmth led to deep water formation in the North Pacific

Geologic intervals of sustained warmth such as the mid-Pliocene Warm Period can inform our understanding future climate change, including long-term consequences oceanic uptake anthropogenic carbon. Here we generate carbon isotope records and synthesize existing to reconstruct position water masses determine circulation patterns in deep Pacific Ocean. We show that mid-depth gradient North was reversed during compared with today, which implies flowed from north south probably formed subarctic Deep Water. An isotopically enabled model simulates this Water reproduces a similar pattern. Modelled levels dissolved inorganic content decrease slightly, although amount stored ocean actually increases by 1.6% relative modern due an increase surface ocean. Although modelled Pliocene maintains budget present, change configuration causes pronounced downstream changes biogeochemistry. Marine point substantial formation Period, according synthesis isotope-enabled modelling.