Abstract: Multi-proxy investigations have been performed on core 08P23 collected from the Chukchi Plateau, Western Arctic Ocean, during the Third Chinese National Arctic Expedition. The core was dated back to Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 3 by a combination of AMS ¹⁴C dating and regional core correlation. A total of 5 prominent Ice-rafted detritus(IRD) events were recognized in MIS 2 and MIS 3. The IRD events in MIS 3 are originated from vast carbonate rock outcrops of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago and clastic quartz in MIS 2 may have a Eurasian origin. Mostδ¹⁸O and -¹³C value of Neogloboquadrina pachyderma (sinistral) (Nps) in core 08P23 are lighter than the average values of surface sediments. The light Nps-δ¹⁸O and -δ¹³C values in the two brown layers in MIS 1 and MIS 3 were resulted from meltwater events; and those in the gray layers in MIS 3 were caused by the enhanced sea ice formation. The Nps-δ¹⁸O values varied inversely with Nps-δ¹³C in MIS 2 indicate that the studied area was covered by thick sea ice or ice sheet with cold temperatures and little meltwater, which prevented the bioproductivity and sea-atmosphere exchange, as well as water mass ventilation. The covaried light values of Nps-δ¹⁸O and -δ¹³C in MIS 1 and MIS 3 were resulted from meltwater and/or brine rejection.

Key words: Chukchi Plateau, western Arctic Ocean, MIS 3, IRD events, oxygen and carbon isotope, water mass changes